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

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-04-29</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000318154</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMGEN INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AMGN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001396482</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Bradway Robert A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE AMGEN CENTER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>THOUSAND OAKS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91320-1799</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Executive V.P. and CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-04-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1373</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>50.44</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>34377</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares include the following Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) granted under the Company's Amended and Restated 1991 Equity Incentive Plan:  7,500 RSUs which vest in two equal annual installments of 3,750 each commencing 7/17/2009; 9,000 RSUs which vest in three equal annual installments of 3,000 each commencing 4/29/2010; and 12,000 RSUs which vests in four equal annual installments of 3,000 each commencing 4/29/2010. Vested RSUs will be paid in shares of the Company's common stock on a one-to-one basis unless payment is otherwise deferred by the reporting person.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The amount of the Company's Common Stock beneficially owned at the end of the month and held directly by the reporting person has been adjusted to reflect an acquisition of the Company's Common Stock under the 423(b) Plan in a transaction exempt pursuant to Rule 16a-3(f)(1)(k)(B).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert A. Bradway</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
