<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-16-054225.txt : 20160601
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-16-054225.hdr.sgml : 20160601
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160601182140
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-16-054225
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20160529
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160601
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160601

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WILLIAMS SONOMA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000719955
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-HOME FURNITURE, FURNISHINGS & EQUIPMENT STORES [5700]
		IRS NUMBER:				942203880
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0202

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3250 VAN NESS AVENUE
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		415-421-7900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3250 VAN NESS AVENUE
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94109

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DILLON ADRIAN T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001163402

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14077
		FILM NUMBER:		161690442

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5301 STEVENS CREEK BLVD
		STREET 2:		MS 1A-LC
		CITY:			SANTA CLARA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95051
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-05-29</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000719955</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WILLIAMS SONOMA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WSM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001163402</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DILLON ADRIAN T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3250 VAN NESS AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94109</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-05-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2272</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>75281</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-05-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2272</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2272</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of WSM common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The restricted stock units vested on May 29, 2016.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The restricted stock units vest on the earlier of one year from the date of grant or the day before the next regularly scheduled annual meeting. Vested shares will be delivered to the reporting person upon vesting or at the end of the deferral period, if applicable.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Phil Louridas, Attorney-in-Fact for Adrian T. Dillon</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-06-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
