Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011
Net sales	$ 5,104,199	$ 5,107,809	$ 10,176,793	$ 9,941,743
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	4,704,269	4,458,359	9,396,336	8,868,558
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	112,528	130,246	219,647	240,950
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates	158	(1,267)	6,832	2,943
Impairment of non-current assets	30,000		30,000
Interest expense, net	41,051	43,184	82,723	85,750
Costs, expenses and other, total	4,888,006	4,630,522	9,735,538	9,198,201
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	216,193	477,287	441,255	743,542
Provision for income taxes	76,626	155,709	138,276	240,842
Net earnings	139,567	321,578	302,979	502,700
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	27,268	21,805	45,576	43,086
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 112,299	$ 299,773	$ 257,403	$ 459,614
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.35	$ 0.94	$ 0.81	$ 1.45
Diluted	$ 0.35	$ 0.94	$ 0.81	$ 1.44
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	317,975	316,811	317,832	316,702
Diluted	318,040	317,022	317,910	316,948
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.3650	$ 0.3625	$ 0.7300	$ 0.7250