Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2017	Feb. 27, 2018	Jul. 01, 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	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 155,324,724
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,263,245
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 30, 2017