Cover - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2021	Feb. 15, 2021	Jun. 27, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	THE EASTERN COMPANY
Entity Central Index Key	0000031107
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Document Period End Date	Jan. 02, 2021
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		6,247,981
Entity Public Float			$ 90,636,265
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	001-35383
Entity Incorporation State Country Code	CT
Entity Tax Identification Number	06-0330020
Entity Address Address Line 1	112 Bridge Street
Entity Address City Or Town	Naugatuck
Entity Address State Or Province	CT
Entity Address Postal Zip Code	06770
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	729-2255
Security 12b Title	Common Stock, No Par Value
Trading Symbol	EML
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ