Basis of Interim Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	Jan. 01, 2019
Disclosure of Basis of Interim Presentation [Line Items]
Adoption Of New Accounting Standard Increase Decrease In Total Assets	0.50%
Adoption Of New Accounting Standard Increase Decrease In Total Liabilities	1.20%

Increase in total liabilities due to adoption of new accounting standard.

No definition available.

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