EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
Feb. 01, 2015	Feb. 02, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 3,837us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,993us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Effect of of dilutive securities	0	0
Earnings for diluted earnings per share	$ 3,837	$ 1,993
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)	66,066	61,200
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	954	936
Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares)	954	936
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	67,020	62,136
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	12,672	17,581
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based payment awards issued after February 1, 2015 (in shares)			300
Convertible Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	11,085	15,423
Share-Based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	1,587	2,158

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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