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

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-07-16</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2009-07-20</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000050863</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INTEL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>INTC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242607</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PLUMMER JAMES D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TERMAN 214</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STANFORD UNIVERSITY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STANFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94305</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance-based Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-07-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2012-08-16</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each Performance-based Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) represents the right to receive, following vesting, no less than 33% and no more than 200% of one share of Intel common stock, together with dividend equivalent shares on the vested number of shares. The resulting number of shares of Intel common stock acquired upon vesting of the Performance-based RSUs is contingent upon the achievement of pre-established performance metrics, as approved by the Company's Compensation Committee, over a three-year period beginning on the grant date and ending on the third anniversay of the grant date, unless that date falls on a date that the NASDAQ Stock Market is closed, in which case the next business date that the NASDAQ Stock Market is open shall apply.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Unless earlier forfeited under the terms of the Performance-based RSU, each Performance-based RSU vests and converts into no less than 33% and no more than 200% of one share of Intel common stock three years and one month after the grant date (together with dividend equivalent shares thereon), unless that date falls on a non-business date, in which case the next business date shall apply.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Date Exercisable was incorrect in the Reporting Person's original Form 4.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Wendy Yemington, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-07-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
