Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Change in Stockholder's Equity (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2023	Apr. 02, 2022
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 19,569,906	$ 14,603,794
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	1,231,629	2,227,115
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(27,841)	70,778
Stock options exercised	$ 7,123	16,586
Stock options exercised (in shares)	131
Stock option expense	$ 475	458
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	43,820	43,098
Amortization of unearned compensation	1,764	1,400
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax	(429,813)	(905,324)
Cash dividends declared	(129,383)	(134,446)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(337,810)	(211,558)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in CSI		431,219
BALANCES, end of period	19,929,870	16,143,120
Common Stock [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 152,061	$ 152,061
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period	380,154	380,154
BALANCES, end of period	$ 152,061	$ 152,061
BALANCES, shares at end of period	380,154	380,154
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 2,143,520	$ 2,140,608
Stock options exercised	(1,749)	(507)
Stock option expense	475	458
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	24,760	21,170
Amortization of unearned compensation	1,764	1,400
BALANCES, end of period	2,168,770	2,163,129
Retained Earnings [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	24,754,873	17,674,100
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	1,136,542	2,095,623
Cash dividends declared	(129,383)	(134,446)
BALANCES, end of period	25,762,032	19,635,277
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	(137,517)	(115,282)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(27,841)	70,778
BALANCES, end of period	(165,358)	(44,504)
Treasury Stock (at cost) [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ (8,498,243)	$ (5,835,098)
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period	126,661	107,742
Stock options exercised	$ 8,872	$ 17,093
Stock options exercised (in shares)	(131)	(310)
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	$ 19,060	$ 21,928
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures, shares	(323)	(388)
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax	$ (429,813)	$ (905,324)
Treasury stock acquired (in shares)	2,723	7,048
BALANCES, end of period	$ (8,900,124)	$ (6,701,401)
BALANCES, shares at end of period	128,930	114,092
Total Nucor Stockholders' Equity [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 18,414,694	$ 14,016,389
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	1,136,542	2,095,623
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(27,841)	70,778
Stock options exercised	7,123	16,586
Stock option expense	475	458
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	43,820	43,098
Amortization of unearned compensation	1,764	1,400
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax	(429,813)	(905,324)
Cash dividends declared	(129,383)	(134,446)
BALANCES, end of period	19,017,381	15,204,562
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	1,155,212	587,405
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	95,087	131,492
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(337,810)	(211,558)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in CSI		431,219
BALANCES, end of period	$ 912,489	$ 938,558