Additional common stock units for election of deferred annual incentive award, percentage.

Name:	nue_AdditionalCommonStockUnitsForElectionOfDeferredAnnualIncentiveAwardPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	nue
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stock option exercise price as percentage of market value.

+ Details

Name:	nue_StockOptionExercisePriceAsPercentageOfMarketValue
Namespace Prefix:	nue
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The period in which a stock option can be exercised.

+ Details

Name:	nue_StockOptionTerm
Namespace Prefix:	nue
Data Type:	xbrli:positiveIntegerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate proceeds received by the entity during the annual period from exercises of stock options and conversion of similar instruments granted under share-based payment arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph i

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

As of the latest balance-sheet date presented, the total compensation cost related to outstanding, nonvested share-based compensation awards not yet recognized (will be charged against earnings as services are performed or other vesting criteria are met).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph h

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationUnrecognizedCompensationCostsOnNonvestedAwards
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The weighted average period over which unrecognized share-based compensation costs are expected to be reported.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph h

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationUnrecognizedCompensationCostsOnNonvestedAwardsWeightedAveragePeriodOfRecognition
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the period of time over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, which may be expressed in a variety of ways (for example, in years, month and year).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph a

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income (as well as the total recognized tax benefit) or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph c(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The noncash expense that accounts for the value of stock options distributed to employees as compensation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph i

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010 Stock Options Granted Prior To 2006 [Member]	Jul. 02, 2011 Stock Options Granted In 2010 And 2011 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock Options Granted In 2010 And 2011 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Stock Options Granted In 2010 And 2011 [Member]	Jul. 02, 2011 RSU [Member]	Jul. 03, 2010 RSU [Member]	Jul. 02, 2011 RSU [Member]	Jul. 03, 2010 RSU [Member]	Jul. 02, 2011 RSA [Member]	Jul. 03, 2010 RSA [Member]	Jul. 02, 2011 RSA [Member]	Jul. 03, 2010 RSA [Member]
Stock options exercise prices as percentage of the market value on the date of the grant			100.00%
Stock option vesting period							three	three
Stock options term, years					7	10		10
Compensation expense for stock options	$ 7.1	$ 0.1	$ 7.4	$ 0.1									$ 1.9	$ 1.1	$ 4.3	$ 2.5
Share-based compensation expense									12.2	13.5	19.7	22.5
Proceeds from stock options exercised	0.5		3.2
Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock	$ 4.3		$ 4.3						$ 35.7		$ 35.7		$ 1.5		$ 1.5
Weighted average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock (years)			1.3								1.9				1.6
Additional common stock units for election of deferred annual incentive award, percentage															25.00%
Stock option grant, grant date fair value			$ 15.37