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

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2021-07-29</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000844965</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TETRA TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TTI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001876303</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Boston Shoemake Alicia r</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>24955 INTERSTATE 45 NORTH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>THE WOODLANDS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77380</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>false</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>true</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>false</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>false</isOther>
            <officerTitle>General Counsel</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40943.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2441.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.16</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2015-05-20</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2024-05-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5200.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>10.30</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2014-05-20</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2023-05-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4800.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.15</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2016-05-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2025-05-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4495.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.14</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2017-05-02</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2026-05-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6142.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.81</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2013-05-20</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2022-05-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3285.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.51</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2018-02-22</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-02-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2451.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>3.87</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2019-02-22</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-02-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13115.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>3.87</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2019-02-22</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-02-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3281.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.00</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4772.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.00</value>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10812.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.00</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20716.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This stock option award was granted pursuant to the TETRA Technologies, Inc. 2011 Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan. One-third of the award vested on May 20, 2015, and the remaining stock options vested in monthly installments thereafter until May 20, 2017.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">Each restricted stock unit (&quot;RSU&quot;) represents the contingent right to receive one share of Issuer's common stock upon vesting of the unit. The closing price of the Issuer's common stock on the date of this RSU award was $1.42.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">The RSU was granted pursuant to the TETRA Technologies, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan. One-third of the award vested on February 20, 2021, and one-sixth at the completion of each six-month period thereafter until February 20, 2023, subject to continued service with the Issuer on each respective vesting date. Vested shares will be delivered to the reporting person on the settlement date unless the Issuer elects to settle the RSUs in cash, or a combination of shares and cash, in the Issuer's sole discretion.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">Each restricted stock unit (&quot;RSU&quot;) represents the contingent right to receive one share of Issuer's common stock upon vesting of the unit. The closing price of the Issuer's common stock on the date of this RSU award was $2.63.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">The RSU was granted pursuant to the TETRA Technologies, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan. One-third of the award will vest on February 17, 2022, and one-sixth at the completion of each six-month period thereafter until February 17, 2024, subject to continued service with the Issuer on each respective vesting date. Vested shares will be delivered to the reporting person on the settlement date unless the Issuer elects to settle the RSUs in cash, or a combination of shares and cash, in the Issuer's sole discretion.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">This stock option award was granted pursuant to the TETRA Technologies, Inc. 2011 Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan. One-third of the award vested on May 20, 2014, and the remaining stock options vested in monthly installments thereafter until May 20, 2016.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This stock option award was granted pursuant to the TETRA Technologies, Inc. 2011 Second Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan. One-third of the award vested on May 4, 2016, and the remaining stock options vested in monthly installments thereafter until May 4, 2018.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">This stock option award was granted pursuant to the TETRA Technologies, Inc. 2011 Second Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan. One-third of the award vested on May 2, 2017, and the remaining stock options vested in monthly installments thereafter until May 2, 2019.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">This stock option award was granted pursuant to the TETRA Technologies, Inc. 2011 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan. One-third of the award vested on May 20, 2013, and the remaining stock options vested in monthly installments thereafter until May 20, 2015.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">This stock option award was granted pursuant to the TETRA Technologies, Inc. 2011 Third Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan. One-third of the award vested on February 22, 2018, and the remaining stock options vested in monthly installments thereafter until February 22, 2020.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">This stock option award was granted pursuant to the TETRA Technologies, Inc. 2011 Third Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan. One-third of the award vested on February 22, 2019, and the remaining stock options vested in monthly installments thereafter until February 22, 2021.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Each restricted stock unit (&quot;RSU&quot;) represents the contingent right to receive one share of Issuer's common stock upon vesting of the unit. The closing price of the Issuer's common stock on the date of this RSU award was $2.50.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">The RSU was granted pursuant to the TETRA Technologies, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan. One-third of the award vested on February 21, 2020, and one-sixth at the completion of each six-month period thereafter until February 21, 2022, subject to continued service with the Issuer on each respective vesting date. Vested shares will be delivered to the reporting person on the settlement date unless the Issuer elects to settle the RSUs in cash, or a combination of shares and cash, in the Issuer's sole discretion.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kimberly M. O'Brien, attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-08-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
