Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019 shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EASTERN CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000031107
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	6,233,000
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1