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

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2021-02-16</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001049502</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MKS INSTRUMENTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MKSI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001414656</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lee John Tseng-Chung</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2 TECH DRIVE, SUITE 201</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ANDOVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01810</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>President &amp; CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
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                </transactionShares>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
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    </nonDerivativeTable>

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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4281</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>41265.209</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted stock unit (RSU) represents the contingent right to receive one share of common stock of MKS Instruments, Inc.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">This transaction was effected pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan previously adopted by the reporting person.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These RSUs vest in three equal annual installments commencing on February 15, 2022, provided that if, in any vesting year, February 15th is not a business day, such vesting shall occur on the next business day.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These RSUs were subject to performance criteria, the achievement of which was determined on January 28, 2019, and thereafter vest in three equal annual installments beginning on February 15, 2019, provided that if, in any vesting year, February 15th is not a business day, such vesting shall occur on the next business day.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">These RSUs vest in three equal annual installments commencing on February 15, 2019, provided that if, in any vesting year, February 15th is not a business day, such vesting shall occur on the next business day.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">These RSUs were subject to performance criteria, the achievement of which was determined on January 27, 2020, and thereafter vest in three equal installments beginning on February 15, 2020, provided that if, in any vesting year, February 15th is not a business day, such vesting shall occur on the next business day.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">These RSUs vest in three equal annual installments commencing on February 15, 2020, provided that if, in any vesting year, February 15th is not a business day, such vesting shall occur on the next business day.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">These RSUs were subject to performance criteria, the achievement of which was determined on January 25, 2021, and thereafter vest in three equal annual installments beginning on February 15, 2021, provided that if, in any vesting year, February 15th is not a business day, such vesting shall occur on the next business day.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">These RSUs vest in three equal annual installments commencing on February 15, 2021, provided that if, in any vesting year, February 15th is not a business day, such vesting shall occur on the next business day.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ M. Kathryn Rickards, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-02-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
