Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Change in Stockholder's Equity (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2024	Apr. 01, 2023
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 22,123,754	$ 19,569,906
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	958,962	1,231,629
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15,368)	(27,841)
Stock options exercised	$ 2,688	7,123
Stock options exercised (in shares)	54
Stock option expense	$ 392	475
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	59,964	43,820
Amortization of unearned compensation	2,600	1,764
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax	(1,011,239)	(429,813)
Cash dividends declared	(130,799)	(129,383)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(265,435)	(337,810)
BALANCES, end of period	21,725,519	19,929,870
Common Stock [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 152,061	$ 152,061
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period	380,154	380,154
BALANCES, end of period	$ 152,061	$ 152,061
BALANCES, shares at end of period	380,154	380,154
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 2,176,243	$ 2,143,520
Stock options exercised	(1,449)	(1,749)
Stock option expense	392	475
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	33,037	24,760
Amortization of unearned compensation	2,600	1,764
BALANCES, end of period	2,210,823	2,168,770
Retained Earnings [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	28,762,045	24,754,873
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	844,841	1,136,542
Cash dividends declared	(130,799)	(129,383)
BALANCES, end of period	29,476,087	25,762,032
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	(162,072)	(137,517)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15,368)	(27,841)
BALANCES, end of period	(177,440)	(165,358)
Treasury Stock (at cost) [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ (9,987,643)	$ (8,498,243)
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period	135,252	126,661
Stock options exercised	$ 4,137	$ 8,872
Stock options exercised (in shares)	(54)	(131)
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	$ 26,927	$ 19,060
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures, shares	(344)	(323)
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax	$ (1,011,239)	$ (429,813)
Treasury stock acquired and net impact of excise tax (in shares)	5,538	2,723
BALANCES, end of period	$ (10,967,818)	$ (8,900,124)
BALANCES, shares at end of period	140,392	128,930
Total Nucor Stockholders' Equity [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 20,940,634	$ 18,414,694
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	844,841	1,136,542
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15,368)	(27,841)
Stock options exercised	2,688	7,123
Stock option expense	392	475
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	59,964	43,820
Amortization of unearned compensation	2,600	1,764
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax	(1,011,239)	(429,813)
Cash dividends declared	(130,799)	(129,383)
BALANCES, end of period	20,693,713	19,017,381
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	1,183,120	1,155,212
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	114,121	95,087
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(265,435)	(337,810)
BALANCES, end of period	$ 1,031,806	$ 912,489