Basis of Interim Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Amount of increase in consolidated net sales if previous accounting guidance had continued to be used	$ 10.2
Amount of increase in revenue had previous accounting method been used as a percentage of sales	0.20%
Amount of increase in consolidated cost of products sold if previous accounting guidance had continued to be used	$ 10.2

The amount of increase in cost of products sold had the previous guidance in effect before the adoption of the new revenue accounting guidance been used.

No definition available.

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