Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 34,713,501	$ 41,512,467	$ 36,483,939
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	26,899,107	29,009,187	25,458,525
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	1,584,052	1,997,178	1,706,609
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(12,783)	(10,714)	(103,068)
Losses and impairments of assets		101,756	62,161
Interest (income) expense, net	(29,632)	170,216	158,854
Costs, expenses and other, total	28,440,744	31,267,623	27,283,081
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	6,272,757	10,244,844	9,200,858
Provision for income taxes	1,359,966	2,165,204	2,078,488
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	4,912,791	8,079,640	7,122,370
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	387,990	472,303	294,909
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 4,524,801	$ 7,607,337	$ 6,827,461
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 18.05	$ 28.88	$ 23.23
Diluted	$ 18	$ 28.79	$ 23.16