Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 267,736	$ 274,201	$ 511,372	$ 570,832
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized (loss) income on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of ($2,300) and $100 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and ($3,900) and ($900) for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively	(3,985)	103	(6,717)	(1,530)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes of $1,000 and $100 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1,800 and $200 for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively	1,685	197	3,017	430
Foreign currency translation (loss), net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, and $0 and ($400) for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively	(62,903)	(81,689)	(155,203)	(93,321)
Other, net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, and $1,500 and $0 for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively			2,700
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(65,203)	(81,389)	(156,203)	(94,421)
Comprehensive income	202,533	192,812	355,169	476,411
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(40,610)	(28,754)	(91,691)	(67,313)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 161,923	$ 164,058	$ 263,478	$ 409,098