Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Mar. 04, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TOLL BROTHERS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000794170
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		169,162,000