<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0609</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2026-08-14</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001137774</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PRU</issuerTradingSymbol>
        <issuerForeignTradingSymbol></issuerForeignTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001280546</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KAPPLER ANN M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>false</rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>751 BROAD STREET, 5TH FLR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ATTN.: REGULATORY FILINGS UNIT</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07102</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>EVP and General Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <aff10b5One>0</aff10b5One>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2026-08-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7652</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>125.01</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14407</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>909</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $125.00 to $125.10 inclusive. The reporting person undertakes to provide to Prudential Financial, Inc., any security holder of Prudential Financial, Inc., or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the ranges set forth in footnote 1 to this Form 4.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Following the transaction reported on this Form 4, Ann Kappler continues to hold 14,407 shares directly and 909 shares indirectly in a 401(k) account. Ann Kappler also holds an additional 9,952 vested stock options, 15,446 restricted stock units and 68,395 target performance shares (the exact number awarded being dependent on achievement of performance goals).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Amount reported has been adjusted to include 10 shares of Issuer common stock acquired by the reporting person under The Prudential Employee Savings Plan between March 31, 2026, and June 30, 2026, based on a plan statement dated June 30, 2026. The acquisition of such shares was exempt from Section 16 pursuant to Rules 16b-3(c) and 16a-3(f)(1)(i)(B).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Baker, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2026-08-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
