EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	May 01, 2016	Apr. 30, 2017	May 01, 2016
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 1,797	$ 11,854	$ 3,744	$ 32,856
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of tax	0	875	0	1,946
Earnings for diluted earnings per share	$ 1,797	$ 12,729	$ 3,744	$ 34,802
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)	68,426	67,372	68,301	67,090
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	959	948	976	1,096
Convertible notes (in shares)	0	9,196	0	10,140
Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares)	959	10,144	976	11,236
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	69,385	77,516	69,277	78,326
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.18	$ 0.05	$ 0.49
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.16	$ 0.05	$ 0.44
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	6,624	2,160	6,580	1,414
Convertible Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	5,542	0	5,542	0
Share-Based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	1,082	2,160	1,038	1,414