Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings
Net sales	$ 5,252,144	$ 4,140,069	$ 15,193,887	$ 11,990,877
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	4,776,283	3,949,779	13,613,399	11,279,755
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	140,206	88,866	412,598	289,230
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates	11,247	5,732	14,190	31,481
Interest expense, net	40,193	37,686	125,943	112,796
Costs, expenses and other, total	4,967,929	4,082,063	14,166,130	11,713,262
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	284,215	58,006	1,027,757	277,615
Provision for income taxes	84,104	7,982	324,946	80,179
Net earnings	200,111	50,024	702,811	197,436
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	18,593	26,529	61,679	51,985
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 181,518	$ 23,495	$ 641,132	$ 145,451
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.57	$ 0.07	$ 2.02	$ 0.46
Diluted	$ 0.57	$ 0.07	$ 2.02	$ 0.46
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	317,194	316,223	316,866	315,842
Diluted	317,287	316,756	317,061	316,483
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.3625	$ 0.36	$ 1.0875	$ 1.08