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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UCKarqHvY6h+g/YyFEOOaMfA03GVK3KjNEf9DVafUZqtJQe2bl1x+shoLbyU0ttN
 qZQilvcr0I/KEL0rpIYUqA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000027419-04-000040.txt : 20040427
<SEC-HEADER>0000027419-04-000040.hdr.sgml : 20040427
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040427151555
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000027419-04-000040
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040427
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040427

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GEORGE WILLIAM W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001145149

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06049
		FILM NUMBER:		04756860

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		710 MEDTRONIC PKWY MS LC310
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55432-5604
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7635144000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TARGET CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000027419
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-VARIETY STORES [5331]
		IRS NUMBER:				410215170
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 NICOLLET MALL
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55403
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6123706948

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 NICOLLET MALL
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55403

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DAYTON HUDSON CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DAYTON CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19690728
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-27</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000027419</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TARGET CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>tgt</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001145149</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GEORGE WILLIAM W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 NICOLLET AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MINNEAPOLIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55403</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.0833 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>44.59</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>95345</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.0833 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>800</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. George's son of which Mr. George is a trustee.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jeffrey A. Proulx, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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