EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Feb. 01, 2015
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 21,002	$ 3,837
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of tax	1,071	0
Earnings for diluted earnings per share	$ 22,073	$ 3,837
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)	66,807	66,066
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Convertible notes (in shares)	11,084	0
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	1,245	954
Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares)	12,329	954
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	79,136	67,020
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.06
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.06
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	668	12,672
Share-Based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	668	1,587
Convertible Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	0	11,085