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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 H7qPawqU+frzoQ+1qNq6FmPJUId9snuQE+saJMa1euZo6Lm3i49nxllHmVSYVg0p
 hsBoo5jzdHbk6gg1byL+Cw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000919943-04-000007.txt : 20040225
<SEC-HEADER>0000919943-04-000007.hdr.sgml : 20040225
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040225144234
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000919943-04-000007
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040223
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040225

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHECKETTS DAVID W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001257464

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20763
		FILM NUMBER:		04627240

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		27 FATHER PETER'S LANE
		CITY:			NEW CANAAN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06840

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCLEODUSA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000919943
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS [4812]
		IRS NUMBER:				421407240
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6400 C ST SW
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 3177
		CITY:			CEDAR RAPIDS
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52406
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3193640000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6400 C ST SW
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 3177
		CITY:			CEDAR RAPIDS
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52406

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MCLEOD INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960403
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000919943</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MCLEODUSA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MCLD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001257464</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHECKETTS DAVID W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>280 PARK AVE., 5TH FLOOR EAST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10017</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.62</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>300000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>300000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>300000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The options become exercisable in installments as follows: 33 1/3% on each of February 23, 2005, February 23, 2006, and February 23, 2007.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Laura J. Hahn as Attorney-In-Fact for David W. Checketts</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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