Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023		Oct. 01, 2022		Sep. 30, 2023		Oct. 01, 2022
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	$ 1,221,255		$ 1,799,043		$ 4,039,959		$ 6,753,395
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized (loss) income on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $(1,500) and $8,800 for the third quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $(10,700) and $30,700 for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively	(4,779)		27,411		(33,782)		97,025
Reclassification adjustment for settlement of hedging derivatives included in net earnings, net of income taxes of $1,100 and $(5,200) for the third quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $3,100 and $(11,700) for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively	3,579	[1]	(16,311)	[2]	9,982	[1]	(36,837)	[2]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 and 2022	(18,655)		(43,843)		12,490		(48,459)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,855)		(32,743)		(11,310)		11,729
Comprehensive income	1,201,400		1,766,300		4,028,649		6,765,124
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	79,749		104,295		300,557		401,791
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 1,121,651		$ 1,662,005		$ 3,728,092		$ 6,363,333

[1] Includes $3,579 and $9,982 net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $1,100 and $3,100 in the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively.

[2] Includes $(16,311) and $(36,837) net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $(5,200) and $(11,700) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively.