Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 15, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TOLL BROTHERS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000794170
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		153,173,000
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 5,458,097