Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2014	Jan. 27, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 101,542	$ 99,839
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	(78,660)	(78,741)
Selling, general and administrative	(12,278)	(11,067)
Research and development	(4,974)	(4,839)
Operating income	5,630	5,192
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,984)	(1,887)
Interest and other income (expense), net	1,111	1,296
Income before income tax provision	4,757	4,601
Income tax provision	(2,716)	(1,742)
Net income	2,041	2,859
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(48)	(536)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 1,993	$ 2,323
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.04
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.04
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	61,200	60,277
Diluted (in shares)	62,136	61,095