Cover	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2024 shares
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	THE EASTERN COMPANY
Entity Central Index Key	0000031107
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-30
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Document Period End Date	Mar. 30, 2024
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2024
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	6,233,510
Entity File Number	001-35383
Entity Incorporation State Country Code	CT
Entity Tax Identification Number	06-0330020
Entity Address Address Line 1	3 Enterprise Drive
Entity Address Address Line 2	Suite 408
Entity Address City Or Town	Shelton
Entity Address State Or Province	CT
Entity Address Postal Zip Code	06484
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	729-2255
Security 12b Title	Common Stock, No Par Value
Trading Symbol	EML
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes