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

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000899715</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SKT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001366740</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Berman Bridget Ryan</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2 BAILEYS MILL ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 718</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW VERNON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07976</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: James F. Williams  For: Bridget Ryan Berman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
