Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Billions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.40	$ 0.38	$ 0.80	$ 0.76
Common Stock [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$ 2.0		$ 2.0
Share repurchase program, available repurchase amount	$ 1.3		$ 1.3
Nucor Yamato Steel Company [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	51.00%	51.00%	51.00%	51.00%