<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-16-062505.txt : 20160914
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-16-062505.hdr.sgml : 20160914
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160914135621
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-16-062505
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20160913
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160914
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160914

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MKS INSTRUMENTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001049502
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTS FOR MEASUREMENT, DISPLAY, AND CONTROL [3823]
		IRS NUMBER:				042277512
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 TECH DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 201
		CITY:			ANDOVER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01810
		BUSINESS PHONE:		978-645-5500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 TECH DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 201
		CITY:			ANDOVER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01810

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COLELLA GERARD G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001256715

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23621
		FILM NUMBER:		161884823

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6 SHATTUCK RD
		CITY:			ANDOVER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01810
</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>2016-09-13</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001049502</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MKS INSTRUMENTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MKSI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001256715</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COLELLA GERARD G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2 TECH DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ANDOVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01810</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>CEO, President, Director</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-09-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>47.109</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>37900.066</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $46.95 to $47.37.  The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price.  The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide, upon request, the full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ M. Kathryn Rickards, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-09-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
