Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Sep. 02, 2016
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	Jul. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		163,994,000