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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UVs0cnQP4Up+Mhz56wEkQ27mNC3FDFnYzT7y59znsUwwx7+QYs5pul1F+AmvMquO
 7HiIFKr95AiE5r+Jvw2E5w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000089800-03-000098.txt : 20030512
<SEC-HEADER>0000089800-03-000098.hdr.sgml : 20030512
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030512113704
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000089800-03-000098
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030509
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030512

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOPKINS THOMAS E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001203508

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04851
		FILM NUMBER:		03691898

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O THE SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO
		STREET 2:		101 PROSPECT AVE NW
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44115

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000089800
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PAINTS, VARNISHES, LACQUERS, ENAMELS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [2851]
		IRS NUMBER:				340526850
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 PROSPECT AVE NW
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44115
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2165662200
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-05-09</periodOfReport>
<issuer><issuerCik>0000089800</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>SHW</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001203508</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOPKINS THOMAS E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Sr. VP-Human Resources</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock Units</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>10.16</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-05-09</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>61.45</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>10.16</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>26485.54</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Acquisition of phantom stock units (in an exempt transaction) under deferred compensation plan(s) to be settled generally upon the Reporting Person's retirement or termination of employment, subject to diversification provisions of the plan(s).  The plan(s) utilize unit accounting, with phantom stock units consisting primarily of phantom shares of common stock and a small percentage of short-term investments.  On April 1, 1997, units were assigned a beginning 
per unit price of $10.00.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Includes phantom stock units acquired pursuant to the dividend equivalent reinvestment feature of the plan(s).</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Louis E. Stellato, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-05-12</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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