Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Oct. 01, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Oct. 01, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,775,734	$ 10,500,755	$ 27,008,970	$ 32,788,511
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	6,854,934	7,657,364	20,588,294	22,382,718
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	385,768	486,560	1,229,051	1,574,355
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates	1,083	(8,438)	(3,671)	(23,246)
Interest (income) expense, net	(14,133)	42,347	648	143,245
Costs, expenses and other, total	7,227,652	8,177,833	21,814,322	24,077,072
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	1,548,082	2,322,922	5,194,648	8,711,439
Provision for income taxes	326,827	523,879	1,154,689	1,958,044
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	1,221,255	1,799,043	4,039,959	6,753,395
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	79,749	104,295	300,557	401,791
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 1,141,506	$ 1,694,748	$ 3,739,402	$ 6,351,604
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 4.58	$ 6.51	$ 14.86	$ 23.9
Diluted	$ 4.57	$ 6.5	$ 14.83	$ 23.85
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	248,504	259,102	250,752	264,655
Diluted	248,916	259,526	251,179	265,239