Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2020		Jun. 29, 2019		Jul. 04, 2020		Jun. 29, 2019
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 133,153		$ 412,277		$ 187,532		$ 943,070
Other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized income (loss) on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $200 and $(1,700) for the second quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $(600) and $(1,500) for the first six months of 2020 and 2019, respectively	757		(5,217)		(1,499)		(4,486)
Reclassification adjustment for settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes of $900 and $200 for the second quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $1,600 and $0 for the first six months of 2020 and 2019, respectively	2,543	[1]	517	[2]	4,599	[1]	(114)	[2]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of income taxes of $0 for the second quarter and first six months of 2020 and 2019	23,491		15,727		(40,970)		9,087
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	26,791		11,027		(37,870)		4,487
Comprehensive income	159,944		423,304		149,662		947,557
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(24,272)		(25,794)		(58,320)		(54,781)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 135,672		$ 397,510		$ 91,342		$ 892,776

[1] Includes $2,543 and $4,599 of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the second quarter and first six months of 2020, respectively. The tax impacts of those reclassifications were $900 and $1,600 in the second quarter and first six months of 2020, respectively.

[2] Includes $517 and $(114) of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively. The tax impacts of those reclassifications were $200 and $0 in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively.