Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2022		Oct. 02, 2021		Oct. 01, 2022		Oct. 02, 2021
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 1,799,043		$ 2,223,265		$ 6,753,395		$ 4,782,238
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized income on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $8,800 and $6,100 for the third quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $30,700 and $9,100 for the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively	27,411		19,057		97,025		28,260
Reclassification adjustment for settlement of hedging derivatives included in net earnings, net of income taxes of $(5,200) and $(800) for the third quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $(11,700) and $(700) for the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively	(16,311)	[1]	(2,457)	[2]	(36,837)	[1]	(1,760)	[2]
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 and 2021	(43,843)		(28,772)		(48,459)		6,460
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(32,743)		(12,172)		11,729		32,960
Comprehensive income	1,766,300		2,211,093		6,765,124		4,815,198
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	104,295		95,522		401,791		205,195
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 1,662,005		$ 2,115,571		$ 6,363,333		$ 4,610,003

[1] Includes $(16,311) and $(36,837) net of tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $(5,200) and $(11,700) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively

[2] Includes $(2,457) and $(1,760) net of tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $(800) and $(700) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively.