Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2023	Apr. 02, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,709,980	$ 10,493,282
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	6,711,778	7,035,143
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	389,895	524,584
Equity in losses/(earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates	1,340	(7,695)
Interest expense, net	10,183	43,135
Costs, expenses and other, total	7,113,196	7,595,167
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	1,596,784	2,898,115
Provision for income taxes	365,155	671,000
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	1,231,629	2,227,115
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	95,087	131,492
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 1,136,542	$ 2,095,623
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 4.47	$ 7.69
Diluted	$ 4.45	$ 7.67
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	253,608	271,564
Diluted	254,397	272,094