EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2018	Jul. 30, 2017	Jul. 29, 2018	Jul. 30, 2017
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 13,005	$ 4,001	$ 29,568	$ 7,745
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of tax	496	0	1,488	0
Earnings used for diluted earnings per share	$ 13,501	$ 4,001	$ 31,056	$ 7,745
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)	69,374	68,525	69,141	68,376
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Convertible notes (in shares)	5,542	0	5,542	0
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	342	855	438	935
Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares)	5,884	855	5,980	935
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	75,258	69,380	75,121	69,311
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.06	$ 0.43	$ 0.11
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.06	$ 0.41	$ 0.11
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	1,873	6,629	1,826	6,596
Share-Based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	1,873	1,087	1,826	1,054
Convertible Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	0	5,542	0	5,542