Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015	Apr. 05, 2014
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period	$ 8,075,118	$ 7,910,278
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(34,503)	84,819
Stock options	473
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	9,034	8,727
Amortization of unearned compensation	300nue_AmortizationUnearnedCompensation	200nue_AmortizationUnearnedCompensation
Dividends declared	(119,770)us-gaap_DividendsCash	(118,695)us-gaap_DividendsCash
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(24,981)	(24,794)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	7,905,671	7,860,535
Attributable to Nucor Corporation [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period	7,772,470	7,645,769
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(50,995)	66,154
Stock options	473
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	9,034	8,727
Amortization of unearned compensation	300	200
Dividends declared	(119,770)	(118,695)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	7,611,512	7,602,155
Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period	302,648	264,509
Total comprehensive income (loss)	16,492	18,665
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(24,981)	(24,794)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	$ 294,159	$ 258,380

Amortization of unearned compensation related to incentive compensation plans.

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- Definition

Value of stock related to issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 4K

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- Definition

Amount of paid and unpaid cash dividends declared for classes of stock, for example, but not limited to, common and preferred.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

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-Topic 942

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Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

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- Definition

Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

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- Definition

Gross value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

+ References

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