Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2014	Jul. 28, 2013	Aug. 03, 2014	Jul. 28, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 124,852	$ 109,652	$ 331,276	$ 316,171
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	(96,202)	(82,574)	(257,554)	(243,206)
Selling, general and administrative	(12,394)	(12,068)	(38,092)	(35,286)
Research and development	(5,199)	(4,985)	(16,111)	(14,380)
Operating income	11,057	10,025	19,519	23,299
Other income (expense):
Gain on acquisition	0	0	16,372	0
Interest expense	(1,809)	(1,909)	(5,610)	(5,705)
Interest and other income (expense), net	641	937	2,346	3,226
Income before income tax provision	9,889	9,053	32,627	20,820
Income tax provision	(2,545)	(2,689)	(7,291)	(6,155)
Net income	7,344	6,364	25,336	14,665
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,158)	(424)	(3,617)	(1,539)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 4,186	$ 5,940	$ 21,719	$ 13,126
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.10	$ 0.35	$ 0.22
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.10	$ 0.34	$ 0.21
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	61,436	60,746	61,336	60,505
Diluted (in shares)	62,432	66,177	77,706	61,478