DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - shares	6 Months Ended
Apr. 02, 2016	May. 02, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	KULICKE & SOFFA INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000056978
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-01
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	klic
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		70,378,063
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 02, 2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016

If the value is true, then the document is an amendment to previously-filed/accepted document.

No definition available.

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- Definition

End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This is focus fiscal period of the document report. For a first quarter 2006 quarterly report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, the first fiscal quarter should be given as the fiscal period focus. Values: FY, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, H1, H2, M9, T1, T2, T3, M8, CY.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

This is focus fiscal year of the document report in CCYY format. For a 2006 annual report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, fiscal 2006 should be given as the fiscal year focus. Example: 2006.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented. If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word "Other".

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	dei:submissionTypeItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12b
-Subsection 1

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate number of shares or other units outstanding of each of registrant's classes of capital or common stock or other ownership interests, if and as stated on cover of related periodic report. Where multiple classes or units exist define each class/interest by adding class of stock items such as Common Class A [Member], Common Class B [Member] or Partnership Interest [Member] onto the Instrument [Domain] of the Entity Listings, Instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Indicate whether the registrant is one of the following: (1) Large Accelerated Filer, (2) Accelerated Filer, (3) Non-accelerated Filer, (4) Smaller Reporting Company (Non-accelerated) or (5) Smaller Reporting Accelerated Filer. Definitions of these categories are stated in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure.

+ References

No definition available.

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Data Type:	dei:filerCategoryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12b
-Subsection 1

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- Definition

Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	klic_
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