Stockholders' Equity And Comprehensive Income (Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010
Stockholders' Equity And Comprehensive Income
Net earnings	$ 321,578	$ 106,218	$ 502,700	$ 147,412
Net unrealized loss on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes	(1,613)	(617)	(2,699)	(23,265)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes	9,199	9,408	18,259	16,199
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	8,517	(48,531)	72,643	(50,218)
Comprehensive income (loss)	337,681	66,478	590,903	90,128
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(21,804)	(15,225)	(43,091)	(25,462)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 315,877	$ 51,253	$ 547,812	$ 64,666

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [ABSTRACT]

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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-Paragraph A5
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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References

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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 52
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- Definition

This element represents Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, for the period attributable to noncontrolling interest. Includes deferred gains (losses) on qualifying hedges, unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, minimum pension liability, and cumulative translation adjustment.

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Net of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive income that was realized in net income during the period.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
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Change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges, net of tax effect. The after tax effect change includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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