<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2019-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001065088</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EBAY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EBAY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001228062</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TRAQUINA PERRY M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O EBAY INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2025 HAMILTON AVE.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN JOSE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95125</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2019-05-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>715</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32004</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units -3</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6606</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6606</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person has elected to receive fully vested shares of the Issuer's common stock in lieu of cash retainer fees payable for service on the Issuer's Board of Directors and any committees thereof.  The number of shares issued represents the quotient of (A) the amount of such fees divided by (B) the Issuer's closing stock price on the date such fees would otherwise be paid, rounded up to the nearest whole share.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">In connection with the reporting person's service as a non-employee director of the Issuer, such reporting person has been granted restricted stock units. The number of restricted stock units granted represents the quotient of (A) $250,000 divided by (B) the Issuer's closing stock price on the date of grant, rounded up to the nearest whole restricted stock unit. 100% of the restricted stock units vest on the earlier of: (i) the one-year anniversary of the date of grant or (ii) the date of the Issuer's first annual meeting of stockholders that occurs after the date of grant, provided that the reporting person continues to provide service to the Issuer through such date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Not Applicable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Issuer's common stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Marc Rome For: Perry M. Traquina</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2019-05-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
