EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2019	Apr. 29, 2018	Apr. 28, 2019	Apr. 29, 2018
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 8,479	$ 10,665	$ 13,746	$ 16,563
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of tax	349	496	845	992
Earnings used for diluted earnings per share	$ 8,828	$ 11,161	$ 14,591	$ 17,555
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)	66,261	69,293	66,422	69,024
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Convertible notes (in shares)	3,898	5,542	4,720	5,542
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	438	355	451	486
Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares)	4,336	5,897	5,171	6,028
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	70,597	75,190	71,593	75,052
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.15	$ 0.21	$ 0.24
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.15	$ 0.20	$ 0.23
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	1,204	2,022	1,134	1,803
Share-Based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	1,204	2,022	1,134	1,803