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

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-05-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001318310</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ev3 Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>evvv</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001329921</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Enxing Seng Stacy</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O EV3 INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3033 CAMPUS DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PLYMOUTH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55441</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Exec. VP &amp; Pres, US Peri. Vas.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-05-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>41138</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>161087</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares represent a restricted stock grant under the ev3 Inc. Third Amended and Restated Incentive Plan and were issued to the reporting person pursuant to ev3's 2010 long-term equity grant guidelines that provide for broad-based annual performance recognition grants to employees.  The number of shares issued was determined based primarily on a multiple of the reporting person's base salary as set forth in ev3's 2010 long-term equity grant guidelines and the $22.50 per share of ev3 common stock purchase price set forth in that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 1, 2010 among Covidien Group S.a.r.l., a Luxembourg company (&quot;Parent&quot;), and Parent's wholly-owned subsidiary, COV Delaware Corporation, a Delaware corporation.  The restricted shares vest over time and are subject to forfeiture until vested. Vesting will be accelerated in the event the transactions contemplated in the foregoing merger agreement are consummated.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 114,224 shares issued pursuant to restricted stock grants under the ev3 Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan and still subject to forfeiture.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kevin M. Klemz, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
