-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001231344-04-000001.txt : 20040211
<SEC-HEADER>0001231344-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040211
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040211114721
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001231344-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040211

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DPL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000787250
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED [4931]
		IRS NUMBER:				311163136
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1065 WOODMAN DRIVE
		CITY:			DAYTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45432
		BUSINESS PHONE:		937 259 7142

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1065 WOODMAN DRIVE
		CITY:			DAYTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45432

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOLMES DAVID R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001231344

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09052
		FILM NUMBER:		04584622

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE SEA STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 1105
		CITY:			ROCKPORT
		STATE:			ME
		ZIP:			04856
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2072368912
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000787250</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DPL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DPL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001231344</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOLMES DAVID R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1065 WOODMAN DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DAYTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45432</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Share Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-03-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1631</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.61</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>DPL Inc. Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1631</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>26734</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">1-for-1</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Deferral of Directors fees into restricted share units representing DPL Inc. common shares pursuant to the Dayton Power and Light Company Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.  Restricted share units are payable in shares of DPL Inc. common stock on a 1-for-1 basis upon the Reporting Person ceasing to be a director of DPL Inc.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes dividend equivalents credited on restricted share units.  Reporting Person ceased to be a Director and shares were transferred from the plan during the Issuer's fiscal year.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Deferred Directors Compensation Plan</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Arthur G. Meyer by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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