Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023		Dec. 31, 2022		Dec. 31, 2021
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	$ 4,912,791		$ 8,079,640		$ 7,122,370
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized (loss) gain on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of ($16,500), $24,300, and $5,000 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively	(52,077)		76,542		15,112
Reclassification adjustment for gain (loss) on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net earnings, net of income taxes of $3,800, ($16,400), and ($3,100) for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively	12,077	[1]	(51,554)	[2]	(9,300)
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of income taxes of $0 for 2023, 2022 and 2021	21,041		(55,348)		(4,041)
Adjustment to early retiree medical plan, net of income taxes of ($1,538), $1,997, and $659 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively	(4,787)		6,328		1,875
Reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss on early retiree medical plan included in net earnings, net of income taxes of ($255), $671 and ($10) for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively	(809)	[1]	1,797	[2]	(67)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(24,555)		(22,235)		3,579
Comprehensive income	4,888,236		8,057,405		7,125,949
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	387,990		472,303		294,909
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 4,500,246		$ 7,585,102		$ 6,831,040

[1] Includes $12,077 and $(809) net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts and adjustment to early retiree medical plan, respectively. The tax impacts of these reclassifications were $3,800 and $(255), respectively.

[2] Includes $(51,554) and $1,797 net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts and adjustment to early retiree medical plan, respectively. The tax impacts of these reclassifications were $(16,400) and $671, respectively.