Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015	Apr. 05, 2014
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 84,292us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 129,696us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive loss:
Net unrealized loss on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of ($1,300) and ($1,100) for the first quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively	(2,268)	(1,871)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes of $100 and $200 for the first quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively	168	471
Foreign currency translation loss, net of income taxes of $0 and ($400) for the first quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively	(116,695)	(43,477)
Net current-period other comprehensive loss	(118,795)	(44,877)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(34,503)	84,819
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(16,492)	(18,665)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ (50,995)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 66,154us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income of accumulated gain (loss) realized from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's deferred hedging gain (loss).

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