Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period			$ 8,075,118	$ 7,910,278
Total comprehensive income	$ 202,533	$ 192,812	355,169	476,411
Stock options			7,707	12,132
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures			24,572	24,242
Amortization of unearned compensation			600	500
Dividends declared			(359,740)	(356,459)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(56,085)	(51,401)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	8,047,341	8,015,703	8,047,341	8,015,703
Attributable to Nucor Corporation [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period			7,772,470	7,645,769
Total comprehensive income			263,478	409,098
Stock options			7,707	12,132
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures			24,572	24,242
Amortization of unearned compensation			600	500
Dividends declared			(359,740)	(356,459)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	7,709,087	7,735,282	7,709,087	7,735,282
Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period			302,648	264,509
Total comprehensive income			91,691	67,313
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(56,085)	(51,401)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	$ 338,254	$ 280,421	$ 338,254	$ 280,421