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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>0001309741-06-000002.txt : 20060907
<SEC-HEADER>0001309741-06-000002.hdr.sgml : 20060907
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060907085228
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001309741-06-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060901
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060907
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060907

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000875582
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CONVERTED PAPER & PAPERBOARD PRODS (NO CONTAINERS/BOXES) [2670]
		IRS NUMBER:				410857886
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0831

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6680 N HIGHWAY 49
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 69
		CITY:			LINO LAKES
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55014
		BUSINESS PHONE:		612-784-1250

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6680 N HIGHWAY 49
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 69
		CITY:			LINO LAKES
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55014

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NORTHERN INSTRUMENTS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930328

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Narayan Ramani
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001309741

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11038
		FILM NUMBER:		061078131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		517-432-0775

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4275 CONIFER CIRCLE
		CITY:			OKEMOS
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48864
</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>2006-09-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000875582</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NTI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001309741</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Narayan Ramani</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4275 CONIFER CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>OKEMOS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48864</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>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-09-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.07</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Matt Wolsfeld on behalf of Dr.Ramani Narayan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-09-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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