Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 30, 2024	Apr. 01, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,137,083	$ 8,709,980
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	6,613,903	6,711,778
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	345,395	389,895
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates	(9,769)	1,340
Interest (income) expense, net	(37,787)	10,183
Costs, expenses and other, total	6,911,742	7,113,196
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	1,225,341	1,596,784
Provision for income taxes	266,379	365,155
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	958,962	1,231,629
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	114,121	95,087
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 844,841	$ 1,136,542
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 3.46	$ 4.47
Diluted	$ 3.46	$ 4.45
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	243,098	253,608
Diluted	243,497	254,397

The sum of operating and non-operating costs and expenses.

No definition available.

Name:	nue_CostsAndExpensesOperatingAndNonoperating
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.