Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 294,484	$ 267,736	$ 657,281	$ 511,372
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Net unrealized (loss) income on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of ($300) and ($2,300) for the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $600 and ($3,900) for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively	(600)	(3,985)	912	(6,717)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes of $1,200 and $1,000 for the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $4,800 and $1,800 for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively	2,000	1,685	8,288	3,017
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, and $0 for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015	(8,606)	(62,903)	53,578	(155,203)
Other, net of income taxes of $1,500 for the first nine months of 2015				2,700
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,206)	(65,203)	62,778	(156,203)
Comprehensive income	287,278	202,533	720,059	355,169
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(24,448)	(40,610)	(82,719)	(91,691)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 262,830	$ 161,923	$ 637,340	$ 263,478