Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net sales	$ 4,550,772	$ 5,072,594
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	4,247,556	4,692,067
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	116,225	107,119
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates	1,172	6,674
Interest expense, net	32,491	41,672
Costs, expenses and other, total	4,397,444	4,847,532
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	153,328	225,062
Provision for income taxes	42,600	61,650
Net earnings	110,728	163,412
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	25,939	18,308
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 84,789	$ 145,104
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.26	$ 0.46
Diluted	$ 0.26	$ 0.46
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	318,686	317,689
Diluted	318,842	317,779
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.3675	$ 0.3650