CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2022		$ 802	$ 297,270	$ 2,059,796	$ (64,175)	$ (502,779)	$ 23,050
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans			226
Stock-based compensation expense			5,637
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 173,239			173,239
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.				(17,096)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	12,482				12,224
Acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans						(2,837)
Repurchase of common stock						0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,854)						1,854
Foreign currency translation	10,251						258
Balance at end of period at Apr. 01, 2023		802	303,133	2,215,939	(51,951)	(505,616)	25,162
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 30, 2023	2,358,716	1,604	312,171	2,594,300	(47,221)	(523,409)	21,271
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans			282
Stock-based compensation expense			6,231
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	138,363			138,363
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.				(22,713)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	(5,154)				(4,533)
Acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans						(2,771)
Repurchase of common stock						(27,930)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,346)						3,346
Foreign currency translation	(4,155)						(621)
Balance at end of period at Mar. 30, 2024	$ 2,448,370	$ 1,604	$ 318,684	$ 2,709,950	$ (51,754)	$ (554,110)	$ 23,996