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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QHCatzRRN/AMP8K8+79S2XIb530RsWebeiG7i/x8NHzEZXsJYwiPwfM59RywxkZT
 ZYoSlYtJ4gfyhmt+x54xOQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000048287-04-000179.txt : 20041115
<SEC-HEADER>0000048287-04-000179.hdr.sgml : 20041115
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041115143510
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000048287-04-000179
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041111
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041115
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041115

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHRISTENSEN GARY M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001197383

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14225
		FILM NUMBER:		041144144

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		239-594-0853

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15418 MILAN WAY
		CITY:			NAPLES
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			34110

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HNI CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000048287
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OFFICE FURNITURE (NO WOOD) [2522]
		IRS NUMBER:				420617510
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0102

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		414 EAST THIRD STREET - PO BOX 1109
		CITY:			MUSCATINE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52761-7109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5632647400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		414 EAST THIRD STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 1109
		CITY:			MUSCATINE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52761

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HON INDUSTRIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HOME O NIZE CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19681001
</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>2004-11-11</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000048287</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HNI CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HNI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001197383</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHRISTENSEN GARY M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>15418 MILAN WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NAPLES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>34110</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</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>261.469</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>42.07</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9174.166</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were acquired by the reporting person pursuant to the Corporation's Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Tamara S. Feldman, By Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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