EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Aug. 02, 2015	Jul. 31, 2016	Aug. 02, 2015
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 8,088	$ 12,106	$ 40,944	$ 26,003
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of related tax effects	496	1,071	2,442	3,292
Earnings for diluted earnings per share	$ 8,584	$ 13,177	$ 43,386	$ 29,295
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)	67,953	66,454	67,377	66,250
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Convertible notes (in shares)	5,542	11,085	8,607	11,085
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	822	1,030	1,006	965
Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares)	6,364	12,115	9,613	12,050
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	74,317	78,569	76,990	78,300
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.12	$ 0.18	$ 0.61	$ 0.39
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.12	$ 0.17	$ 0.56	$ 0.37
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	2,016	1,667	1,615	1,636
Share-Based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	2,016	1,667	1,615	1,636