<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-23-000700.txt : 20230104
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-23-000700.hdr.sgml : 20230104
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20230104183321
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-23-000700
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20230103
FILED AS OF DATE:		20230104
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20230104

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Kaye Edward M. MD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001522780

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-50633
		FILM NUMBER:		23508884

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3450 MONTE VILLA PARKWAY
		CITY:			BOTHELL
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98011

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CYTOKINETICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001061983
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				943291317
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		350 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(650) 624-3000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		350 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD
		CITY:			SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080
</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>2023-01-03</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001061983</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CYTOKINETICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CYTK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001522780</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Kaye Edward M. MD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>350 OYSTER POINT BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94080</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2023-01-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>253</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>44.35</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13049</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares issued at Reporting Person's election pursuant to Issuer's stock in lieu of cash for all or part of directors' annual base retainer program. Shares are fully vested from the moment of grant. Shares issued at per share price of $44.35, representing the Issuer's closing stock price on January 3, 2023.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John Faurescu, attorney-in-fact for Dr. Kaye</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2023-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
