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

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-02-04</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000731939</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TEMPLE INLAND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TIN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001231549</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Maley J. Patrick III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1300 S. MOPAC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>THIRD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AUSTIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>78746</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Chief Operating Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-02-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2011-02-04</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>51567</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>220178</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>24.40</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-02-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>70028</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2012-02-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2021-02-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>70028</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>70028</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-02-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2011-02-04</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>58777</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>0</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.64</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-02-06</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-02-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>219161</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>219161</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.71</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-02-05</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-02-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>90586</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>90586</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-02-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-02-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>212245</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>212245</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>24.34</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-02-02</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-02-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>32800</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32800</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.55</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-02-03</value>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-02-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>32800</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32800</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.14</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-02-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-02-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>32000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.56</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-07</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-05-07</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.96</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-02-06</value>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>18000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F14"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F14"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F14"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>228653</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>228653</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F15"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F15"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F15"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>63386</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>63386</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options granted 02/04/11 vest as follows:   17507 on 02/04/12, 17507 on 02/04/13, 17507 on 02/04/14 and 17507 on 02/04/15.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted Stock Units settled for cash.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes 51,567 Restricted Stock Units granted to Reporting Person on February 4, 2011. These RSUs will vest effective February 4, 2014 if 1% ROI or ROI in top three quartiles of peer group performance criteria is met, and will be settled for stock on the vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Includes 70,156 Restricted Stock Units granted to Reporting Person on February 5, 2010. These RSUs will vest effective February 5, 2013 if 1% ROI or ROI in top three quartiles of peer group performance criteria is met, and will be settled for stock on the vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Options Vesting Schedule for Options Granted 02/06/2009. Options Exerciserable 02/06/2010 - 54,790; Options Exerciserable 02/06/2011 - 54,790; Options Exerciserable 02/06/2012 - 54,790; and Options Exerciserable 02/06/2013 - 54,791.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Options Vesting Schedule for Options Granted 02/05/2010. Options Exercisable 02/05/2011 - 22,646; Options Exercisable 02/05/2012 - 22,647; Options Exercisable 02/05/2013 - 22,646; and Options Exercisable 02/06/2014 - 22,647.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Granted 02/01/2008 Option Vesting Schedule: Options exercisable 02/01/2009, 53061; Options exercisable 02/01/2010, 53061; Options exercisable 02/01/2011, 53061; Options exercisable 02/01/2012, 53062.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Options Vesting Schedule for Options Granted 02/02/2007 at an exercise price of $24.34: Options Exerciserable 02/02/2008 - 8,200; Options Exerciserable 02/02/2009 - 8,200; Options Exerciserable 02/02/2010 - 8,200; and Options Exerciserable 02/02/2011 - 8,200.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">The exercise price of these outstanding options were amended from that previously reported in connection with the spin-off announced by the Company effective 12/28/2007, and pursuant to anti-dilution provisions set forth in the option plan and is intended to give the option the same economic value it had before the spin-off.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">Options Vesting Schedule for Options Granted 02/03/2006:  Options Exerciserable 02/03/2007 - 8,200; Options Exerciserable 02/03/2008 - 8,200; Options Exerciserable 02/03/2009 - 8,200; and Options Exerciserable 02/03/2010 - 8,200.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">Options Vesting Schedule: Options exercisable 02/04/2006 - 8,000; Options Exercisable 02/04/2007 - 8,000; Options Exercisable 02/04/2008 - 8,000; Options Exercisable 02/04/2009 - 8,000.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">Option Vesting Schedule:  Options Exercisable on 05/07/2005 - 10,000; Options Exercisable on 5/07/2006 - 10,000 ; and Options Exercisable on 05/07/2007 - 10,000.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">Options Vesting Schedule:  Options exercisable 02/06/2005 - 4,500; Options Exercisable 02/06/2006 - 4,500; Options Exercisable 02/06/2007 - 4,500; Options Exercisable 02/06/2008 - 4,500.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F14">Performance Stock Units granted on February 6, 2009 will vest on or after February 6, 2012 at 100% if the Company's average ROI falls within the first quartile ROI ranking compared to its peer group; 75% if in the second quartile; zero if in the bottom half.  PSUs will be settled for cash based on the fair market value on the vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F15">Performance Stock Units granted on February 5, 2010 will vest on or after February 5, 2013 at 100% if the Company's average ROI falls within the first quartile ROI ranking compared to its peer group; 75% if in the second quartile, zero if in the bottom half.  PSUs will be settled for cash based on the fair market value on the vesting date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Leslie K. O'Neal on Behalf of Reporting Person</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-02-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
