<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-01</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000095301</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SEQUA CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SQAA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001211582</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEFRAK RICHARD S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O LEFRAK ORGANIZATION INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>97-77 QUEENS BLVD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>REGO PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11374</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>753</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>49.75</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6876</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares are issued to Mr. LeFrak pursuant to the Sequa Corporation Directors' Stock Compensation Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;).  The shares are restricted from disposition or transfer in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Diane C. Bunt, as attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>
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X0201
4
2004-01-01
0
0000095301
SEQUA CORP /DE/
SQAA
0001211582
LEFRAK RICHARD S
C/O LEFRAK ORGANIZATION INC
97-77 QUEENS BLVD
REGO PARK
NY
11374
1
0
0
0
Class A Common Stock
2004-01-01
4
A
0
753
49.75
A
6876
D
These shares are issued to Mr. LeFrak pursuant to the Sequa Corporation Directors' Stock Compensation Plan (the "Plan").  The shares are restricted from disposition or transfer in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Plan.
/s/ Diane C. Bunt, as attorney in fact
2004-01-01