Employee Benefit Plan (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Employee Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan, expense	$ 22.6	$ 27.1

Costs and payments related to employee profit sharing and retirement savings plans.

No definition available.

Name:	nue_ProfitSharingAndRetirementSavingsPlanExpense
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration