Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Change in Stockholder's Equity (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2022	Apr. 03, 2021
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 14,603,794	$ 11,231,861
Net earnings	2,227,115	987,514
Other comprehensive income (loss)	70,778	15,301
Stock options exercised	$ 16,586	107,524
Stock options exercised (in shares)	310
Stock option expense	$ 458	333
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	43,098	15,602
Amortization of unearned compensation	1,400	1,900
Treasury stock value acquired	(905,324)	(301,859)
Cash dividends declared	(134,446)	(122,658)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(211,558)	(73,795)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in CSI	431,219
BALANCES, end of period	16,143,120	11,861,723
Common Stock [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 152,061	$ 152,061
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period	380,154	380,154
BALANCES, end of period	$ 152,061	$ 152,061
BALANCES, shares at end of period	380,154	380,154
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 2,140,608	$ 2,121,288
Stock options exercised	(507)	30,488
Stock option expense	458	333
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	21,170	6,900
Amortization of unearned compensation	1,400	1,900
BALANCES, end of period	2,163,129	2,160,909
Retained Earnings [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	17,674,100	11,343,852
Net earnings	2,095,623	942,432
Cash dividends declared	(134,446)	(122,658)
BALANCES, end of period	19,635,277	12,163,626
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	(115,282)	(118,861)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	70,778	15,301
BALANCES, end of period	(44,504)	(103,560)
Treasury Stock (at cost) [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ (5,835,098)	$ (2,709,675)
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period	107,742	77,909
Stock options exercised	$ 17,093	$ 77,036
Stock options exercised (in shares)	(310)	(2,135)
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	$ 21,928	$ 8,702
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures, shares	(388)	(242)
Treasury stock value acquired	$ (905,324)	$ (301,859)
Treasury stock acquired (in shares)	7,048	5,380
BALANCES, end of period	$ (6,701,401)	$ (2,925,796)
BALANCES, shares at end of period	114,092	80,912
Total Nucor Stockholders' Equity [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 14,016,389	$ 10,788,665
Net earnings	2,095,623	942,432
Other comprehensive income (loss)	70,778	15,301
Stock options exercised	16,586	107,524
Stock option expense	458	333
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	43,098	15,602
Amortization of unearned compensation	1,400	1,900
Treasury stock value acquired	(905,324)	(301,859)
Cash dividends declared	(134,446)	(122,658)
BALANCES, end of period	15,204,562	11,447,240
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	587,405	443,196
Net earnings	131,492	45,082
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(211,558)	(73,795)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in CSI	431,219
BALANCES, end of period	$ 938,558	$ 414,483