Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 04, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013	May 04, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 104,882	$ 106,680	$ 206,424	$ 206,519
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	(82,692)	(81,891)	(161,352)	(160,632)
Selling, general and administrative	(13,419)	(12,151)	(25,697)	(23,218)
Research and development	(5,939)	(4,556)	(10,913)	(9,395)
Operating income	2,832	8,082	8,462	13,274
Other income (expense):
Gain on acquisition	16,372	0	16,372	0
Interest expense	(1,816)	(1,909)	(3,800)	(3,796)
Interest and other income (expense), net	594	993	1,705	2,289
Income before income tax provision	17,982	7,166	22,739	11,767
Income tax provision	(2,032)	(1,724)	(4,747)	(3,466)
Net income	15,950	5,442	17,992	8,301
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(410)	(579)	(459)	(1,114)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 15,540	$ 4,863	$ 17,533	$ 7,187
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.08	$ 0.29	$ 0.12
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.08	$ 0.27	$ 0.12
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	61,372	60,493	61,286	60,385
Diluted (in shares)	77,705	61,501	77,632	61,298