Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 02, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,764,293	$ 2,639,671
Short-term investments	247,247	408,004
Accounts receivable, net	4,087,293	2,298,850
Inventories, net	5,678,715	3,569,089
Other current assets	346,277	573,048
Total current assets	12,123,825	9,488,662
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,777,277	6,899,110
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	281,345	115,258
Goodwill	2,787,992	2,229,672
Other intangible assets, net	1,171,292	668,021
Other assets	807,748	724,671
Total assets	24,949,479	20,125,394
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	102,737	57,906
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations	615,130	10,885
Accounts payable	1,870,035	1,432,159
Salaries, wages and related accruals	1,323,365	462,727
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	886,332	664,183
Total current liabilities	4,797,599	2,627,860
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations due after one year	4,949,945	5,271,789
Deferred credits and other liabilities	1,251,643	993,884
Total liabilities	10,999,187	8,893,533
Nucor stockholders' equity:
Common stock	152,061	152,061
Additional paid-in capital	2,131,514	2,121,288
Retained earnings	15,561,261	11,343,852
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(85,901)	(118,861)
Treasury stock	(4,336,415)	(2,709,675)
Total Nucor stockholders' equity	13,422,520	10,788,665
Noncontrolling interests	527,772	443,196
Total equity	13,950,292	11,231,861
Total liabilities and equity	$ 24,949,479	$ 20,125,394