Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings
Net sales	$ 5,107,809	$ 4,195,966	$ 9,941,743	$ 7,850,808
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	4,441,591	3,887,929	8,837,116	7,329,976
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	147,014	107,770	272,392	200,364
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates	(1,267)	7,372	2,943	25,749
Interest expense, net	43,184	37,322	85,750	75,110
Costs, expenses and other, total	4,630,522	4,040,393	9,198,201	7,631,199
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	477,287	155,573	743,542	219,609
Provision for income taxes	155,709	49,355	240,842	72,197
Net earnings	321,578	106,218	502,700	147,412
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	21,805	15,226	43,086	25,456
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 299,773	$ 90,992	$ 459,614	$ 121,956
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.94	$ 0.29	$ 1.45	$ 0.38
Diluted	$ 0.94	$ 0.29	$ 1.44	$ 0.38
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	316,811	315,849	316,702	315,653
Diluted	317,022	316,472	316,948	316,349
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.3625	$ 0.36	$ 0.725	$ 0.72