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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-02-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001231549</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MALEY JOHN PATRICK III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1300 S. MOPAC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AUSTIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>78746</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive VP, Paper</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-02-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2008-02-04</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5103</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18.70</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>29982</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>583</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Trustee of 401(k) plan</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.56</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-07</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-05-07</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>30000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.96</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-02-06</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-06</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>18000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.14</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-02-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-02-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>32000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.55</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-02-03</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-02-03</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>32800</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32800</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>24.34</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-02-02</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-02-02</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>32800</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32800</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>32200</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32200</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>35000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>35000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-02-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2008-02-01</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>212245</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-02-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-02-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </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>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-02-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2008-02-01</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>58777</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>58777</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>58777</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">In accordance with the Shareholder Rights Plan adopted by the Company on February 9, 1999, Preferred Stock Purchase Rights are deemed to be attached to the shares of Common Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Reporting Person acquired additional shares through on-going acquisitions under 401(k) plan.  By trustee of the Temple-Inland Salaried Savings Plan according to the latest report of the Plan Administrator.  (Note:  Trustee uses unit accounting; therefore, share equivalents may fluctuate slightly from month to month.)</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">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="F4">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="F5">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="F6">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="F7">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="F8">Options Vesting Schedule for Options Granted 02/02/2007 at an exercise price of $50.90: 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">As disclosed in Form 8-K dated August 9, 2007, restricted stock units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) and performance stock units awarded in 2006 and 2007 were cancelled August 9 and new RSUs were issued with 1% ROI performance criteria to reflect the Company?s Transformation Plan. 14,700 Restricted Stock Units granted on February 3, 2006 and 17,500 Performance Stock Units granted on February 3, 2006 (not considered derivative securities) were cancelled for a total of 32,200 cancelled units  (14,700 + 17,500 = 32,200).    32,200 new Restricted Stock Units were issued on August 9, 2007 and will vest on February 3, 2009. Restricted Stock Units will be settled for cash based on the fair market value on the vesting date subject to a 1% ROI performance criteria.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">As disclosed in Form 8-K dated August 9, 2007, restricted stock units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) and performance stock units awarded in 2006 and 2007 were cancelled August 9 and new RSUs were issued with 1% ROI performance criteria to reflect the Company?s Transformation Plan. 12,000 Restricted Stock Units granted on February 2, 2007 and  23,000 Performance Stock Units granted on February 2, 2007 (not considered derivative securities) were cancelled for a total of  35,000 cancelled units  (12,000 + 23,000 = 35,000).       35,000 new Restricted Stock Units were issued on August 9, 2007 and will vest on February 2, 2010. Restricted Stock Units will be settled for cash based on the fair market value on the vesting date subject to a 1% ROI performance criteria.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">As disclosed in Form 8-K dated August 9, 2007, restricted stock units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) and performance stock units awarded in 2006 and 2007 were cancelled August 9 and new RSUs were issued with 1% ROI performance criteria to reflect the Company?s Transformation Plan. 40,000  Restricted Stock Units granted as a &quot;launch award&quot; on May 4, 2007 were cancelled.  40,000 new Restricted Stock Units were issued on August 9, 2007 and will vest on May 4, 2010. Restricted Stock Units will be settled for cash based on the fair market value on the vesting date subject to a 1% ROI performance criteria.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">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="F13">Restricted Stock Units granted on February 1, 2008 will vest effective February 1, 2010 if 1% ROI performance criteria is met. Restricted Stock Units will be settled for cash based on the fair market value on the vesting date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Signed by Leslie K. O'Neal on behalf of John Patrick Maley III</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
