SUBSIDIARY SHARE REPURCHASE AND TENDER OFFER (Details) In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2013 USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2012 USD ($)	Jul. 28, 2013 USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2012 USD ($)	Jul. 28, 2013 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 28, 2013 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 28, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 28, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 28, 2013 PLAB [Member] TWD	Jul. 28, 2013 PLAB [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 28, 2013 PSMC [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 PSMC [Member] PSMC stock repurchase program [Member]	Jul. 29, 2012 PSMC [Member] PSMC stock repurchase program [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 28, 2013 PSMC [Member] PSMC stock repurchase program [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2012 PSMC [Member] PSMC stock repurchase program [Member] USD ($)	Jan. 27, 2013 PSMC [Member] PSMC stock repurchase program [Member]	Oct. 28, 2012 PSMC [Member] PSMC stock repurchase program [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Subsidiary shares acquired (in shares)														50.3	59.4	0	9.1	9.2	27.1
Payment to minority shareholders			$ 31,627	$ 11,653										$ 27,400			$ 4,100	$ 4,200	$ 11,700
Ownership percentage in PSMC (in hundredths)													98.13%	98.13%			69.40%		69.40%	75.11%	72.09%
Stock acquisition price of subsidiary (in dollars per share)													16.30
Effect of the change in the entity's ownership interest in PSMC [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	5,940	10,950	13,126	24,035
Increase (decrease) in Photronics, Inc.'s additional paid-in capital and accumulated other comprehensive income					360	485	939	1,502	(202)	(19)	(229)	(55)
Change from net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders and transfer from noncontrolling interest	$ 6,098	$ 11,416	$ 13,836	$ 25,482