Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022		Dec. 31, 2021		Dec. 31, 2020
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 8,079,640		$ 7,122,370		$ 836,028
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized income (loss) on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $24,300, $5,000, and $400 for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively	76,542		15,112		2,084
Reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net earnings, net of income taxes of ($16,400), ($3,100) and $2,500 for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively	(51,554)	[1]	(9,300)	[2]	7,216
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of income taxes of $0 for 2022, 2021 and 2020	(55,348)		(4,041)		17,306
Adjustment to early retiree medical plan, net of income taxes of $1,997, $659 and ($339) for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively	6,328		1,875		(1,213)
Reclassification adjustment for loss (gain) on early retiree medical plan included in net earnings, net of income taxes of $671, ($10) and $17 for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively	1,797	[1]	(67)	[2]	72
Liquidation of equity method investment in foreign joint venture, net of income taxes of $0 in 2020					158,640
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(22,235)		3,579		184,105
Comprehensive income	8,057,405		7,125,949		1,020,133
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(472,303)		(294,909)		(114,558)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 7,585,102		$ 6,831,040		$ 905,575

[1] Includes $(51,554) and $1,797 net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts and adjustment to early retiree medical plan, respectively. The tax impacts of these reclassifications were $(16,400) and $671 respectively

[2] Includes $(9,300) and $(67) net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts and adjustment to early retiree medical plan, respectively. The tax impacts of these reclassifications were $(3,100) and $(10), respectively