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

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000014693</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BROWN FORMAN CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BFA/BFB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001362521</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Brown Martin S JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>850 DIXIE HIGHWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOUISVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>40210</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>279510</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>45</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2250</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trust f/b/o Children</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8262</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>UTMA f/b/o Child</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2523</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>UTMA f/b/o Child</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>42556</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>42556</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>42556</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Atkinson Hill, LLC</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>562</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trust f/b/o Children</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3753</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>UTMA f/b/o Child</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1192</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F11"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>UTMA f/b/o Child</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25146</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F12"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>36.40</value>
                <footnoteId id="F14"/>
                <footnoteId id="F21"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-05-25</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-04-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>761</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F14"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>761</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F14"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>34.95</value>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
                <footnoteId id="F21"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-07-27</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-04-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4819</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F13"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F14"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4819</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F14"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>33.7659</value>
                <footnoteId id="F15"/>
                <footnoteId id="F21"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-07-26</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-04-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5987</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F15"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5987</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F15"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.51</value>
                <footnoteId id="F16"/>
                <footnoteId id="F21"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-07-24</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-04-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5495</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F16"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5495</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F16"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>27.05</value>
                <footnoteId id="F17"/>
                <footnoteId id="F21"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-07-23</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-04-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6752</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F17"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6752</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F17"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Deferred Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F18"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F19"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F19"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1655.67</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F20"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1655.67</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F20"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F21"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On December 31, 2012, the reporting person transferred directly held shares to Atkinson Hill, LLC, of which he was sole member, and on the same day gifted a 99% interest in the LLC to a family trust. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the LLC except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">On August 10, 2012, the Class A and Class B common stock of Brown-Forman Corporation split 3-2, resulting in the reporting person's acquisition of 93,170 additional shares of Class A common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes 15 additional Class A shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Includes 750 additional Class A shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Includes 2,754 additional Class A shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Includes 841 additional Class A shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Includes 14,185 additional Class B shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Includes 3 additional Class B shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">Includes 187 additional Class B shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">Includes 1,251 additional Class B shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">Includes 397 additional Class B shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">Includes 8,382 additional Class B shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">These stock appreciation rights were previously reported as covering 477 shares at an exercise price of $58.00, but were adjusted to reflect the August 2012 stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F14">These stock appreciation rights were previously reported as covering 3,023 shares at an exercise price of $55.69, but were adjusted to reflect the August 2012 stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F15">These stock appreciation rights were previously reported as covering 3,756 shares at an exercise price of $53.80, but were adjusted to reflect the August 2012 stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F16">These stock appreciation rights were previously reported as covering 3,447 shares at an exercise price of $56.58, but were adjusted to reflect the August 2012 stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F17">These stock appreciation rights were previously reported as covering 4,236 shares at an exercise price of $43.10, but were adjusted to reflect the August 2012 stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F18">Each deferred stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Brown-Forman Class B common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F19">The deferred stock units vest over the course of the Board year.  Vested shares will be delivered to the reporting person on the first February 1st that is at least 6 months following the Director's termination from Board service.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F20">Includes additional Class B shares of common stock issued in the August stock split.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F21">All outstanding derivative security amounts and exercise prices were adjusted on December 27, 2012, the record date for the Issuer's December 12, 2012 special cash dividend.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Diane M. Barhorst, Atty. in Fact for Martin S. Brown, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-01-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
