Debt instrument maturity year.

No definition available.

Name:	nue_DebtInstrumentMaturityYear
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

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+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

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+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from additional borrowings, net of cash paid to third parties in connection with debt origination.

+ References

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Balance Type:
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- Details

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Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands					9 Months Ended
	Aug. 15, 2022	May 23, 2022	Apr. 25, 2022	Mar. 11, 2022	Oct. 01, 2022	Oct. 02, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net proceeds of debt issuance and sale of notes after expenses and the underwriting discount		$ 991,900		$ 1,090,000
Debt issuance and sale costs of Notes		5,900		15,300
Redemption amount					$ 1,108,500	$ 0
Notes, 3.125%, due 2032 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount				$ 550,000
Debt instrument interest rate				3.125%
Debt instrument - maturity year				2032
Notes, 3.850%, due 2052 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount				$ 550,000
Debt instrument interest rate				3.85%
Debt instrument - maturity year				2052
Notes, 4.125%, due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount				$ 600,000
Debt instrument interest rate				4.125%
Debt instrument - maturity year				2022
Redemption amount	$ 600,000
Notes, 4.000%, due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount				$ 500,000
Debt instrument interest rate				4.00%
Debt instrument - maturity year				2023
Redemption amount			$ 500,000
Notes, 3.950%, due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount		$ 500,000
Debt instrument interest rate		3.95%
Debt instrument - maturity year		2025
Notes, 4.300%, due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount		$ 500,000
Debt instrument interest rate		4.30%
Debt instrument - maturity year		2027