EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2017	Jan. 31, 2016
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 1,946	$ 21,002
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of tax	0	1,071
Earnings for diluted earnings per share	$ 1,946	$ 22,073
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)	68,176	66,807
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	993	1,245
Convertible notes (in shares)	0	11,084
Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares)	993	12,329
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	69,169	79,136
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.31
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.28
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	993	668
Share-Based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	993	668