EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 02, 2015	Aug. 03, 2014	Aug. 02, 2015	Aug. 03, 2014
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 12,106	$ 4,186	$ 26,003	$ 21,719
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of related tax effects	1,071	0	3,292	4,626
Earnings for diluted earnings per share	$ 13,177	$ 4,186	$ 29,295	$ 26,345
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)	66,454	61,436	66,250	61,336
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Convertible notes (in shares)	11,085	0	11,085	15,423
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	1,030	996	965	947
Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares)	12,115	996	12,050	16,370
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	78,569	62,432	78,300	77,706
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.07	$ 0.39	$ 0.35
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ 0.07	$ 0.37	$ 0.34
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	1,667	17,292	1,636	2,044
Share-Based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	1,667	1,869	1,636	2,044
Convertible Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	0	15,423	0	0