Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 7,444,160	$ 8,775,734	$ 23,658,415	$ 27,008,970
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	6,686,226	6,854,934	20,183,246	20,588,294
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	244,657	385,768	883,132	1,229,051
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates	(5,278)	1,083	(24,079)	(3,671)
Losses and impairments of assets	123,000		137,150
Interest expense (income), net	7,282	(14,133)	(32,811)	648
Costs, expenses and other, total	7,055,887	7,227,652	21,146,638	21,814,322
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	388,273	1,548,082	2,511,777	5,194,648
Provision for income taxes	85,448	326,827	537,847	1,154,689
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	302,825	1,221,255	1,973,930	4,039,959
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	52,915	79,749	233,962	300,557
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 249,910	$ 1,141,506	$ 1,739,968	$ 3,739,402
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 1.05	$ 4.58	$ 7.23	$ 14.86
Diluted	$ 1.05	$ 4.57	$ 7.22	$ 14.83
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	236,462	248,504	239,701	250,752
Diluted	236,768	248,916	239,800	251,179