Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity [Domain] Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Legal Entity [Axis] Document Type Award Type [Axis] Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,513 in 2013 and $3,902 in 2012 Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive income Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Share-based compensation expense Share-based compensation costs incurred Accounts receivable, allowance Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Total assets Current assets: ASSETS Total current assets Assets, Current Total assets Assets BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block] Estimated principal amount of the lease Accrual for property, plant and equipment purchased during the period Amount payable through the end of lease term 3.09% capital lease obligation payable through March 2016 [Member] Capital Lease Obligations [Member] Interest included in lease payments Carrying Value [Member] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Class of Warrant or Right [Table] Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Date warrants are exercisable Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share) Number of shares of common stock covered under warrants (in shares) Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract] Commitments and contingencies Common Stock [Member] Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 60,362 shares issued and outstanding at January 27, 2013 and 60,213 shares issued and outstanding at October 28, 2012 Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Comprehensive income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Change from net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders and transfer from noncontrolling interest Increase (decrease) in Photronics, Inc.'s additional paid-in capital and accumulated other comprehensive income Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Repurchase of Shares by Subsidiary Effect of the change in the entity's ownership interest in PSMC [Abstract] Effect of change in the entity's ownership interest in PSMC Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Table] Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items] Convertible notes [Member] Convertible senior notes Cost of sales Cost of Goods Sold Cost and expenses: Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Axis] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Long-term debt and capital lease obligations Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Frequency of periodic payment LONG-TERM BORROWINGS [Abstract] Face amount of debt repurchased Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount Conversion price per share (in dollars per share) Value of product shipped for repayment of loan Debt Instrument, Decrease, Repayments Original face amount of debt Debt Instrument, Face Amount Maturity date of debt Periodic payments Variable interest rate (in hundredths) Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End Interest rate percentage (in hundredths) Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Noncurrent Depreciation and amortization RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block] Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract] Gains related to common stock warrants fair value adjustment SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract] Amount owed to MP Mask Due to Related Parties, Current Diluted (in dollars per share) Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Basic (in dollars per share) Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share) EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings per share: EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract] Effect of exchange rate changes on cash U.S. statutory rate (in hundredths) Period for recognition of compensation cost not yet recognized Share-based compensation cost capitalized Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount Income tax benefits realized from stock option exercises Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested option awards Compensation cost not yet recognized related to unvested restricted stock awards Employee Terminations and Other [Member] Employee Severance [Member] CHANGES IN EQUITY [Abstract] Distribution from joint venture Equity Component [Domain] Fair Value [Member] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair and carrying values of convertible senior notes Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair and carrying values of the Company's convertible senior notes [Abstract] Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract] Income before income tax provision Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) [Abstract] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] INCOME TAXES [Abstract] Income (loss) from equity-method investee Income tax provision Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Dollar effect of income tax holiday Income tax holiday termination date Per share effect of income tax holiday (dollars per share) Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Changes in assets and liabilities: Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Share-based payment awards (in shares) Common stock warrants (in shares) Intangible assets, net Interest expense Interest and Debt Expense Inventories Inventory, Net Additional investment in joint venture Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value, Period Increase (Decrease) Investment in joint venture Investment in joint venture Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total liabilities Current liabilities: Total liabilities Liabilities LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Remaining borrowing capacity under credit facility Amount outstanding under credit facility Current portion of long-term borrowings Less current portion Long-term borrowings Long-term debt and capital lease obligations non current Long-term borrowings [Abstract] LONG-TERM BORROWINGS Long-term Debt [Text Block] Maximum [Member] Minimum [Member] SUBSIDIARY SHARE REPURCHASE Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block] Noncontrolling interests Repurchase of common stock by subsidiary Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests Ownership percentage in PSMC (in hundredths) Earnings for diluted earnings per share Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Diluted Cash flows from financing activities: Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Cash flows from operating activities: Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Abstract] Other income (expense): SUBSIDIARY SHARE REPURCHASE [Abstract] Non-controlling Interest [Member] Operating income Operating Income (Loss) BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other current assets Other Assets, Current Other assets Asset Write-downs [Member] Outstanding commitments for capital expenditure Amortization of cash flow hedge Foreign currency translation adjustments Other comprehensive income, net of tax of $0: Interest and other income (expense), net Other liabilities Share-based payment awards [Member] Products and Services [Domain] Other Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Estimated costs of tender offer to noncontrolling interests Payment to purchase U.S. nanoFab facility Purchases of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Investment in joint venture Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Repurchase of common stock by subsidiary Stock repurchased for retirement by PSMC Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Proceeds from share-based arrangements Products and Services [Axis] Net income Net income Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Repayments of long-term borrowings Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Research and development Research and Development Expense Restricted Stock [Member] CONSOLIDATION, RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Restructuring Plan [Domain] Restructuring Type [Axis] Consolidation, restructuring and related charges Charges CONSOLIDATION, RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES [Abstract] Restructuring Plan [Axis] Consolidation, restructuring and related charges Activities related to restructuring reserve [Abstract] Restructuring Charges [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring reserve beginning balance Restructuring reserve ending balance Restructuring Reserve Retained earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] Credit Facility [Member] Exercisable at January 27, 2013 Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Expected term (in years) Exercisable at January 27, 2013 Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Outstanding at January 27, 2013 Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Net sales Geographic information Information on outstanding and exercisable option awards Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Consolidated changes in equity Weighted-average inputs and risk-free rate of return ranges used to calculate the grant date fair value of options Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share Outstanding securities excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings or loss per share Schedule of Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Table] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Long-term borrowings Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Activities related to restructuring reserve Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Geographic Information [Abstract] GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment, Geographical [Domain] Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock awards (in dollar per share) Award vesting period Risk free rate of return, maximum (in hundredths) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum Share options granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Number of shares of restricted stock outstanding (in shares) Restricted stock awards granted (in shares) Risk free rate of return, minimum (in hundredths) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum Risk free rate of return (in hundredths) Expected volatility (in hundredths) Exercisable at January 27, 2013 (in dollar per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Dividend yield (in hundredths) Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollar per share) Stock options, additional disclosures [Abstract] Exercisable at January 27, 2013 (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued (in shares) Weighted-average inputs and risk-free rate of return ranges used to calculate the grant date fair value of options [Abstract] Outstanding at January 27, 2013 (in dollar per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at January 27, 2013 Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Date and Terms of Plan modification Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Description and Terms Outstanding at January 27, 2013 (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Award Type [Domain] Share-based compensation accounting policy Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block] Beginning balance (in shares) Ending balance (in shares) Shares, Outstanding Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) [Abstract] Equity Components [Axis] Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) [Abstract] Geographical [Axis] Stock Options [Member] Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans (in shares) Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans Restricted stock awards vesting and expense Restricted stock awards vesting and expense (in shares) Equity: Beginning balance Ending balance Total equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total Photronics, Inc. shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent CHANGES IN EQUITY SUBSEQUENT EVENTS SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Abstract] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event [Member] PSMC [Member] Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information: Type of Restructuring [Domain] Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued Unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate Maximum exposure to loss from investment in VIE Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Ownership percentage in MP Mask (in hundredths) MP Mask [Member] Variable Interest Entity, Methodology for Determining Whether Entity is Primary Beneficiary Variable Interest Entities [Axis] COMMON STOCK WARRANTS [Abstract] Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract] Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment [Abstract] Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract] Basic (in shares) Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares) Diluted (in shares) Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares) Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Korea [Member] Korea [Member] Taiwan [Member] Taiwan [Member] United States [Member] United States [Member] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. [Abstract] Policy for consolidation: judgments and assumptions made to determine if a variable interest held requires the VIE to be consolidated and/or disclose info on involvement with the VIE; methodology used to determine if it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE; judgments made to determine that the power to direct activities that significantly impact economic performance of the VIE are shared. Includes information on agreements entered with Micron Technologies at the time of formation of the JV. Joint Venture And Other Agreements [Text Block] JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. The entire disclosure of warrants or rights issued. Warrants and rights outstanding are derivative securities that give the holder the right to purchase securities from the issuer at a specific price within a certain time frame. Disclose the title of issue of securities and the aggregate amount of securities called for by warrants and rights outstanding. Also, the date from which the warrants or rights, and the price at which the warrant or right is exercisable. Common Stock Warrants [Text Block] COMMON STOCK WARRANTS Describes the operating facilities of the reporting entity by geographical region. Operating Facilities by Geographical Region [Table] Europe is one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting the Black and Aegean Seas.[2] Europe is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Black Sea and connected waterways to the southeast. Yet the borders of Europe-a concept dating back to classical antiquity-are somewhat arbitrary, as the primarily physiographic term "continent" can incorporate cultural and political elements. Europe [Member] Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. Operating Facilities By Geographical Region [Line Items] Manufacturing Facilities By Geographical Region [Line Items] This line item represents the number of manufacturing facilities of the entity. Number of manufacturing facilities Shares [Abstract] Equity impact of the value of common stock warrants exercised during the period. Common Stock Warrants Exercised Value Common stock warrants exercised Number of common shares issued as a result of the exercise of warrants. Common Stock Warrants Exercised Shares Common stock warrants exercised (in shares) Significant terms of former lease agreement with Micron Technology, Inc. Terms Of Former Lease Agreement With Micron [Domain] Capital Lease Obligations With Micron [Member] A loan from a bank for a specific amount that has a specified repayment schedule and a floating interest rate. Term loans almost always mature between one and 10 years. Term Loan [Member] Written promise to pay a note which can be exchanged for a specified quantity of securities (typically common stock), at the option of the issuer or the holder. Convertible senior notes due on April 2016 [Member] 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes [Member] 3.25% convertible senior notes due on April 1, 2016 [Member] The initial costs of the company's investment in the joint venture and other agreements with its technology partner. Investments in joint venture and other agreements Investments in MP Mask and other agreements Amount of expense recorded in cost of sales from transactions with VIE. Cost Of Sales Cost of sales Amount of expense recorded in research and development from transactions with VIE. Research And Development Expenses Research and development expenses and other This line item represents the period of time over which the debt will be repaid. Repayment Period Of Debt Repayment period of debt Written promise to pay a note which can be exchanged for a specified quantity of securities (typically common stock), at the option of the issuer or the holder. Convertible senior notes due on October 2014 [Member] 5.5% convertible senior notes [Member] 5.5% convertible senior notes due on October 1, 2014 [Member] Represents the financing loan from a customer to purchase manufacturing equipment. Financing loan with customer [Member] 4.75% financing loan with customer [Member] Represents the latest date in the reporting period on which the Company was in compliance with the covenants on its credit facility. Date at which Company was in compliance with loan covenants Period in years over which installment portion of debt will be amortized. Amortization period of debt This line represents the reduction in interest rate charged on any borrowing under the credit facility. Reduction in interest rate Reduction in interest rate (in hundredths) Amount of receivables arising from transactions with supply agreement coparty, related to orders for product manufactured at the Company's VIE. Accounts Receivable From Supply Agreement Coparty For Transactions Under Supply Agreement Amount receivable from Micron Technology, Inc. The number of equity instruments that the holder of the debt instrument would receive if the debt was converted to equity. Debt Instruments Convertible Number Of Equity Instruments Number of shares each note is convertible to (in shares) The net proceeds, after financing costs, from a borrowing supported by convertible senior notes. Proceeds from Notes Payable, net Proceeds from notes payable, net Amount of capital lease reduction resulting from lease amendment. Capital lease obligations repaid This line item represents the face amount of each note converted or convertible to common stock. Face Amount Of Each Note Converted Or Convertible Face amount of each note converted The date the Company estimates that the loan will be fully repaid in CCYY-MM-DD format. Estimated Date Of Loan Repayment Estimated date of loan repayment Represents the first warrant agreement in which the entity entered. Warrant Agreement One [Member] Represents the second warrant agreement in which the entity entered. Warrant Agreement Two [Member] Number of warrant agreements the Company has entered into with Intel Capital Corporation. Number Of Warrant Agreements With Intel Capital Corporation Number of warrant agreements Last date on which the warrants can be exercised in CCYY-MM-DD format. Warrant Agreement Expiration Date Warrant agreement expiration date Number of warrants that have been exercised as of the balance sheet date in CCYY-MM-DD format. Number Of Warrants Exercised As Of Balance Sheet Date Number of warrants exercised as of balance sheet date The period, in years, from date of issuance that an award recipient may exercise a stock option award. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Contractual Term Contractual term Stock options activity [Abstract] Outstanding and exercisable option awards [Abstract] Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Abstract] Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life [Abstract] Restricted Stock [Abstract] This line item represents the amount of the restructuring reserve that has been settled with, or without, cash during the period. Restructuring Reserve Utilized Utilized Represents one of the products of the entity. Integrated Circuits [Member] IC [Member] Represents one of the products of the entity. Flat Panel Displays [Member] FPD [Member] Represents one of the geographical area where entity's activities take place. All Other [Member] Represents number of repurchased shares by a subsidiary during the period. Stock repurchased for retirement by subsidiary Stock repurchased for retirement by PSMC (in shares) Represents the Singapore restructurings. Singapore Restructuring [Member] Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract] Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]