Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 18, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EASTERN CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000031107
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,261,415
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017