SUBSIDIARY SHARE REPURCHASE (Details) In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended											1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 03, 2013 USD ($)		Jul. 28, 2013 USD ($)	Apr. 28, 2013 USD ($)	Jan. 27, 2013 USD ($)	Oct. 28, 2012 USD ($)		Jul. 29, 2012 USD ($)	Apr. 29, 2012 USD ($)		Jan. 29, 2012 USD ($)		Nov. 03, 2013 USD ($)		Oct. 28, 2012 USD ($)		Oct. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Nov. 03, 2013 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 28, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 30, 2011 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Nov. 03, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 28, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 30, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 PSMC [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 PSMC [Member] USD ($)	Jan. 27, 2013 PSMC [Member] USD ($)	Nov. 03, 2013 PSMC [Member] TWD	Oct. 28, 2012 PSMC [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 30, 2011 PSMC [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Subsidiary shares acquired (in shares)																								1.1	50.3	9.2	60.5	35.9	21.6
Payment to minority shareholders													$ 32,374		$ 15,598		$ 9,878							$ 700	$ 27,400	$ 4,200		$ 15,600
Ownership percentage in PDMC (in hundredths)																								98.63%	98.13%	75.11%		72.09%	62.25%
Stock acquisition price of subsidiary (in dollars per share)																											16.3
Effect of the change in the entity's ownership interest in PSMC [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	4,840	[1]	5,940	4,863	2,323	3,832	[2]	10,950	8,818	[3]	4,268	[4],[5]	17,966	[1]	27,868	[2],[3],[4],[5]	16,229
Increase (decrease) in Photronics, Inc.'s additional paid-in capital and accumulated other comprehensive income																		600	1,985	(201)	(237)	(78)	0
Change from net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders and transfer from noncontrolling interest													$ 18,329		$ 29,775		$ 16,028

[1] Includes transaction expenses of $0.8 million, net of tax, in connection with the pending joint venture with DNP Photomask Technology Co., Ltd.

[2] Includes consolidation and restructuring charges of $0.2 million, net of tax, in connection with the discontinuance of manufacturing operations at the Company’s Singapore facility.

[3] Includes consolidation and restructuring charges of $0.1 million, net of tax, in connection with the discontinuance of manufacturing operations at the Company’s Singapore facility.

[4] Includes consolidation and restructuring charges of $1.1 million, net of tax, in connection with the discontinuance of manufacturing operations at the Company’s Singapore facility.

[5] Includes non-cash gain of $0.1 million, net of tax, in connection with subsequent measurement at fair value of warrants issued to purchase the Company’s stock.