Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2022	Apr. 03, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 10,493,282	$ 7,017,140
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	7,035,143	5,394,703
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	524,584	291,124
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(7,695)	(13,239)
Losses on assets		6,662
Interest expense, net	43,135	39,644
Costs, expenses and other, total	7,595,167	5,718,894
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	2,898,115	1,298,246
Provision for income taxes	671,000	310,732
Net earnings	2,227,115	987,514
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	131,492	45,082
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 2,095,623	$ 942,432
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 7.69	$ 3.10
Diluted	$ 7.67	$ 3.10
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	271,564	301,846
Diluted	272,094	302,518