The subsidiary's percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in a company.

No definition available.

Name:	nue_EquityMethodInvestmentSubsidiaryOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total amount outstanding under equity method investments applicable credit facilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nue_EquityMethodInvestmentsApplicableCreditFacilitiesAmountOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The equity method investments available credit facilities subject to guarantee.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nue_EquityMethodInvestmentsCreditFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Guarantor obligation percentage of exposure in case of default.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nue_GuarantorObligationPercentageOfExposureInCaseOfDefault
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Interest rate per year in excess of Euribor as of date of the note.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nue_InterestRatePerYearInExcessOfEuriborAsOfDateOfNote
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of sheet processing facilities operated by equity method investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nue_NumberOfSheetProcessingFacilitiesOperatedByEquityInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period used for lag basis.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nue_PeriodUsedForLagBasis
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Step-up to fair value of equity method investment, portion related to identification of goodwill.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nue_StepUpToFairValueOfEquityMethodInvestmentPortionRelatedToIdentificationOfGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount of recurring noncash expense charged against earnings in the period to allocate the cost of assets over their estimated remaining economic lives.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate amount of receivables to be collected from related parties where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth, at the financial statement date. which are usually due after one year (or one business cycle).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.11)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DueFromRelatedPartiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Difference between amount at which an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting is carried (reported) on the balance sheet and amount of underlying equity in net assets the reporting Entity has in the investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49116238&loc=d3e32787-111569

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the entity's ownership percentage in the investee multiplied by the investee's total equity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755396&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from an entity that is affiliated with the entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromAffiliates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date of maturity or expiration of arrangements with a related party (for example, but not limited to, leasing and debt arrangements between related parties), in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Identify the stated interest rate per the agreement, for example, leasing and debt arrangements between related parties.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=nue_DuferdofinMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=nue_NumitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=nue_SteelTechnologiesLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=nue_HunterRidgeEnergyServicesLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nue_FacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=nue_StandbyMediumLongTermCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=nue_StructuredTradeFinanceFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Equity Investments - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Sheet	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2014 EUR (€)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment	$ 746,600	$ 746,600	$ 872,500
Amortization expense due to fair value step-up		74,260	72,423	$ 74,356
Distributions from affiliates		15,132	53,738	8,708
Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment	$ 258,200	$ 258,200	412,900
Period used for lag basis, in months		1 month
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%	50.00%			50.00%
Equity method investments, share of net assets	$ 93,000	$ 93,000
Basis difference due to the step-up to fair value of certain assets and liabilities	165,200	165,200
Step-up to fair value of equity method investment, portion related to identification of goodwill		84,100
Amortization expense due to fair value step-up		8,800	10,500	11,200
Due from related parties, noncurrent	38,200	$ 38,200	42,500		€ 35.0	€ 35.0
Notes receivable, related parties, interest rate		1.14%
Interest rate per year in excess of Euribor as of date of the notes		1.00%
Equity method investments note payable with parent company, maturity date		Jan. 31, 2019
Impairment charge against investment	153,000
NuMit LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment	$ 314,500	$ 314,500	301,500
Period used for lag basis, in months		1 month
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%	50.00%			50.00%
Distributions from affiliates		$ 13,100	52,700	$ 6,700
Steel Technologies LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	100.00%	100.00%			100.00%
Number of sheet processing facilities operated by Steel Technologies \| Sheet		25
Hunter Ridge Energy Services LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment	$ 135,900	$ 135,900	138,600
Period used for lag basis, in months		1 month
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%	50.00%			50.00%
Facility A [Member] \| Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments credit facilities, amount	$ 133,600	$ 133,600			€ 122.5
Total amount outstanding under equity method investments credit facilities	$ 129,800	$ 129,800	129,900		€ 119.0	107.0
Standby Medium Long Term Credit Facility [Member] \| Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total amount outstanding under equity method investments credit facilities			$ 72,800			€ 60.0
Guarantor obligation percentage of exposure in case of default	50.00%	50.00%			50.00%
Structured Trade Finance Facilities [Member] \| Facility A [Member] \| Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Guarantor obligation percentage of exposure in case of default	50.00%	50.00%			50.00%
Line of credit facility, maturity period		Oct. 12, 2018