Document And Entity Information - shares |
6 Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|
Apr. 30, 2018 |
Jun. 01, 2018 |
|
| Document Information [Line Items] | ||
| Entity Registrant Name | HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000357294 | |
| Trading Symbol | hov | |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --10-31 | |
| Entity Filer Category | Accelerated Filer | |
| Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | |
| Entity Voluntary Filers | No | |
| Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | No | |
| Document Type | 10-Q | |
| Document Period End Date | Apr. 30, 2018 | |
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2018 | |
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | Q2 | |
| Amendment Flag | false | |
| Common Class A [Member] | ||
| Document Information [Line Items] | ||
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares) | 132,643,015 | |
| Common Class B [Member] | ||
| Document Information [Line Items] | ||
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares) | 15,470,482 |