Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Net sales	$ 4,801,206	$ 5,252,144	$ 14,977,999	$ 15,193,887
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	4,452,473	4,794,014	13,848,809	13,662,572
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	114,392	108,532	334,039	349,482
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates	2,261	11,247	9,093	14,190
Impairment of non-current assets		13,943	30,000	13,943
Interest expense, net	40,305	40,193	123,028	125,943
Costs, expenses and other, total	4,609,431	4,967,929	14,344,969	14,166,130
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	191,775	284,215	633,030	1,027,757
Provision for income taxes	61,883	84,104	200,159	324,946
Net earnings	129,892	200,111	432,871	702,811
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	19,584	18,593	65,160	61,679
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 110,308	$ 181,518	$ 367,711	$ 641,132
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.35	$ 0.57	$ 1.15	$ 2.02
Diluted	$ 0.35	$ 0.57	$ 1.15	$ 2.02
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	318,463	317,194	318,042	316,866
Diluted	318,520	317,287	318,113	317,061
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.3650	$ 0.3625	$ 1.0950	$ 1.0875