<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-07-21</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000821130</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>USM</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001254598</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TILDEN CAROLYN A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>VP IS Infrastructure Operation</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><footnotes/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Jason A. Zimmer by Power of Attorney for Carolyn A. Tilden</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-07-21</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

