Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2023		Jul. 02, 2022		Jul. 01, 2023		Jul. 02, 2022
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	$ 1,587,075		$ 2,727,237		$ 2,818,704		$ 4,954,352
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized income (loss) on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $(1,400) and $5,100 for the second quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $(9,200) and $21,900 for the first six months of 2023 and 2022, respectively	(4,428)		16,138		(29,003)		69,614
Reclassification adjustment for settlement of hedging derivatives included in net earnings, net of income taxes of $1,900 and $(4,800) for the second quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $2,000 and $(6,500) for the first six months of 2023 and 2022, respectively	6,228	[1]	(15,136)	[2]	6,403	[1]	(20,526)	[2]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of income taxes of $0 for the second quarter and first six months of 2023 and 2022	34,586		(27,308)		31,145		(4,616)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	36,386		(26,306)		8,545		44,472
Comprehensive income	1,623,461		2,700,931		2,827,249		4,998,824
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	125,721		166,004		220,808		297,496
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 1,497,740		$ 2,534,927		$ 2,606,441		$ 4,701,328

[1] Includes $6,228 and $6,403 net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts in the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $1,900 and $2,000 in the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively.

[2] Includes $(15,136) and $(20,526) net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts in the second quarter and first six months of 2022, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $(4,800) and $(6,500) in the second quarter and first six months of 2022, respectively.