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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-03</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2004-12-20</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001043946</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VERTICALNET INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VERT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001306617</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Wash Darryl Eugene</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1500 BROADWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>14TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10036</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>514469</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Ascend Ventures, LP</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>55458</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Halo-B2eMarkets, LLC</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Mr. Wash is the Managing Partner of Ascend Venture Group, LLC, the general partner of the holder of the shares identified on this Form 3. Mr. Wash disclaims ownership of these shares in their entirety.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Mr. Wash is the Managing Member of Halo-B2eMarkets, LLC, the holder of the shares identified on this Form 3. Mr. Wash disclaims ownership of these shares in their entirety.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Christopher G. Kuhn, power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

