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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001256991-04-000073.txt : 20041216
<SEC-HEADER>0001256991-04-000073.hdr.sgml : 20041216
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041216201622
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001256991-04-000073
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041216
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041216

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BASKINS ANN O
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001207611

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04423
		FILM NUMBER:		041209644

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6508571501

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O HEWLETT-PACKARD CO
		STREET 2:		3000 HANOVER STREET
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94304

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEWLETT PACKARD CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000047217
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT [3570]
		IRS NUMBER:				941081436
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3000 HANOVER ST
		STREET 2:		MS 1050
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94304
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6508571501

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3000 HANOVER ST
		STREET 2:		MS 1050
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94304
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000047217</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HEWLETT PACKARD CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HPQ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001207611</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BASKINS ANN O</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O HEWLETT-PACKARD CO</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3000 HANOVER STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PALO ALTO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94304</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP, General Counsel and</officerTitle>
            <otherText>Secretary</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>172</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>44302.4314</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Not applicable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes the acquisition of 14.5065 shares in January 2004, 15.0738 shares in April 2004, 1,532.8020 shares in May 2004, 22.9015 shares in July 2004 and 24.5752 shares in October 2004 under the Hewlett-Packard Company Share Ownership Plan in transactions exempt under Rule 16b-3.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The Reporting Person holds an additional 2,684.7920 shares indirectly under the Hewlett-Packard Company 401(k) Plan (&quot;HP 401(k) Plan&quot;). The Reporting Person's indirect holdings include the acquisition of 5.372 shares in January 2004, 25.301 shares in April 2004 and 13.251 shares October 2004 under the HP 401(k) Plan in acquisitions exempt under Rule 16b-3. The Reporting Person also holds 5,620 shares indirectly on behalf of her sons.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Charles N. Charnas, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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