EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2018	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 29, 2018	Apr. 30, 2017
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 10,665	$ 1,797	$ 16,563	$ 3,744
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of tax	496	0	992	0
Earnings used for diluted earnings per share	$ 11,161	$ 1,797	$ 17,555	$ 3,744
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)	69,293	68,426	69,024	68,301
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Convertible notes (in shares)	5,542	0	5,542	0
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	355	959	486	976
Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares)	5,897	959	6,028	976
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	75,190	69,385	75,052	69,277
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.03	$ 0.24	$ 0.05
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.03	$ 0.23	$ 0.05
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	2,022	6,624	1,803	6,580
Share-Based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	2,022	1,082	1,803	1,038
Convertible Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	0	5,542	0	5,542