Stockholders' Equity And Comprehensive Income (Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
Stockholders' Equity And Comprehensive Income
Net earnings	$ 200,111	$ 50,024	$ 702,811	$ 197,436
Net unrealized loss on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes	(4,531)	(6,702)	(7,230)	(29,967)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes	9,023	9,420	27,282	25,619
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(86,521)	58,273	(13,878)	8,055
Total comprehensive income	118,082	111,015	708,985	201,143
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18,585)	(26,530)	(61,676)	(51,992)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 99,497	$ 84,485	$ 647,309	$ 149,151

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.

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-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

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+ Details

- Definition

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+ Details

- Definition

Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.

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+ Details

- Definition

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

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+ Details

- Definition

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.

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- Definition

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 or Decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses.

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- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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