<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000827054-18-000148.txt : 20180810
<SEC-HEADER>0000827054-18-000148.hdr.sgml : 20180810
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180810185439
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000827054-18-000148
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20180810
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180810
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180810

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHAPMAN MATTHEW W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000933690

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21184
		FILM NUMBER:		181010018

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 SW SIXTH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97204

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000827054
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES [3674]
		IRS NUMBER:				860629024
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2355 W CHANDLER BLVD
		CITY:			CHANDLER
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85224-6199
		BUSINESS PHONE:		480-792-7200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2355 WEST CHANDLER BLVD
		CITY:			CHANDLER
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85224-6199
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
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<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
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    <periodOfReport>2018-08-10</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000827054</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MCHP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000933690</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHAPMAN MATTHEW W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2355 WEST CHANDLER BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHANDLER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AZ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>85224-6199</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</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>24047</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
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                <value>Common Stock</value>
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                    <value></value>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
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    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2018-08-10</value>
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            <transactionCoding>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2310</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            </securityTitle>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2018-08-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>686</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1372</value>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>87.41</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2018-08-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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                <transactionShares>
                    <value>507</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1015</value>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>508</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The restricted stock units will vest in four equal annual installments on each of the four anniversaries of the tenth business day of the second month of the fiscal quarter in which the grant is made, as long as the individual remains a service provider through the vesting date(s).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The restricted stock units will vest in two equal annual installments on each of the two anniversaries of the tenth business day of the second month of the fiscal quarter in which the grant is made, as long as the individual remains a service provider through the vesting date(s).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Deborah L. Wussler, as Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-08-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
