Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2017	Apr. 02, 2016
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 377,648	$ 122,497
Other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized loss on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of ($1,000) for both the first quarter of 2017 and 2016	(1,635)	(1,731)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes of $300 and $1,700 for the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively	485	3,031
Foreign currency translation gain, net of income taxes of $0 for both the first quarter of 2017 and 2016	2,001	53,897
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	851	55,197
Comprehensive income	378,499	177,694
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(20,749)	(34,932)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 357,750	$ 142,762