Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Net sales	$ 4,940,936	$ 4,801,206	$ 14,157,296	$ 14,977,999
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	4,532,393	4,452,473	13,132,412	13,848,809
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	125,126	114,392	364,501	334,039
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates	(2,252)	2,261	(2,665)	9,093
Impairment of non-current assets				30,000
Interest expense, net	37,467	40,305	109,186	123,028
Costs, expenses and other, total	4,692,734	4,609,431	13,603,434	14,344,969
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	248,202	191,775	553,862	633,030
Provision for income taxes	70,087	61,883	158,749	200,159
Net earnings	178,115	129,892	395,113	432,871
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	30,518	19,584	77,582	65,160
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 147,597	$ 110,308	$ 317,531	$ 367,711
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.46	$ 0.35	$ 0.99	$ 1.15
Diluted	$ 0.46	$ 0.35	$ 0.99	$ 1.15
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	319,341	318,463	318,979	318,042
Diluted	319,526	318,520	319,132	318,113
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.3675	$ 0.3650	$ 1.1025	$ 1.0950