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

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2019-03-06</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001122976</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>POLYONE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>POL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001290501</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Verduin Patricia</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>POLYONE CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33587 WALKER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AVON LAKE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44012</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Lisa K. Kunkle, Power of Attorney for Patricia Verduin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2019-03-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
