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

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-12-10</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2010-12-14</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000869487</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TANDY BRANDS ACCESSORIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TBAC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001352700</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Summitt William</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3631 W. DAVIS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE A</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75211</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, $1.00 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>23000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>2.93</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>122772</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Golconda Capital Portfolio, LP</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">One thousand (1,000) shares were omitted from the reporting person's Form 4 filed on December 14, 2010 in connection with the purchase of shares executed on December 14, 2010.  The stated price has also been amended to reflect the accurate weighted average based on the price ranges set forth.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The stated price represents the weighted average based on prices ranging from $2.90 to $2.95. Upon request from the SEC staff, the Issuer, or a security holder of the Issuer, full information regarding the number of shares purchased or sold at each separate price will be provided.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ William Summitt</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-01-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
