Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Net sales	$ 4,665,588	$ 5,104,199	$ 9,216,360	$ 10,176,793
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	4,352,463	4,704,269	8,600,019	9,396,336
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	123,150	112,528	239,375	219,647
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates	(1,585)	158	(413)	6,832
Impairment of non-current assets		30,000		30,000
Interest expense, net	39,228	41,051	71,719	82,723
Costs, expenses and other, total	4,513,256	4,888,006	8,910,700	9,735,538
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	152,332	216,193	305,660	441,255
Provision for income taxes	46,062	76,626	88,662	138,276
Net earnings	106,270	139,567	216,998	302,979
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	21,125	27,268	47,064	45,576
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 85,145	$ 112,299	$ 169,934	$ 257,403
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.27	$ 0.35	$ 0.53	$ 0.81
Diluted	$ 0.27	$ 0.35	$ 0.53	$ 0.81
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	318,903	317,975	318,796	317,832
Diluted	319,023	318,040	318,934	317,910
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.3675	$ 0.3650	$ 0.7350	$ 0.7300