Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2022		Jul. 03, 2021		Jul. 02, 2022		Jul. 03, 2021
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 2,727,237		$ 1,571,459		$ 4,954,352		$ 2,558,973
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized income on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $5,100 and $2,600 for the second quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $21,900 and $3,000 for the first six months of 2022 and 2021, respectively	16,138		8,204		69,614		9,203
Reclassification adjustment for settlement of hedging derivatives included in net earnings, net of income taxes of ($4,800) and $0 for the second quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively, and ($6,500) and $100 for the first six months of 2022 and 2021, respectively	(15,136)	[1]	196	[2]	(20,526)	[1]	697	[2]
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of income taxes of $0 for the second quarter and first six months of 2022 and 2021	(27,308)		21,431		(4,616)		35,232
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(26,306)		29,831		44,472		45,132
Comprehensive income	2,700,931		1,601,290		4,998,824		2,604,105
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	166,004		64,591		297,496		109,673
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 2,534,927		$ 1,536,699		$ 4,701,328		$ 2,494,432

[1] Includes $(15,136) and $(20,526) net of tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts in the second quarter and first six months of 2022, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $(4,800) and $(6,500) in the second quarter and first six months of 2022, respectively.

[2] Includes $196 and $697 net of tax impact 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 2021, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $0 and $100 in the second quarter and first six months of 2021, respectively.