Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2024	Jul. 01, 2023	Jun. 29, 2024	Jul. 01, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,077,172	$ 9,523,256	$ 16,214,255	$ 18,233,236
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	6,883,117	7,021,582	13,497,020	13,733,360
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	307,230	453,388	652,625	843,283
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(9,032)	(6,094)	(18,801)	(4,754)
Interest (income) expense, net	(2,306)	4,598	(40,093)	14,781
Costs, expenses and other, total	7,179,009	7,473,474	14,090,751	14,586,670
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	898,163	2,049,782	2,123,504	3,646,566
Provision for income taxes	186,020	462,707	452,399	827,862
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	712,143	1,587,075	1,671,105	2,818,704
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	66,926	125,721	181,047	220,808
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 645,217	$ 1,461,354	$ 1,490,058	$ 2,597,896
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 2.68	$ 5.82	$ 6.15	$ 10.28
Diluted	$ 2.68	$ 5.81	$ 6.14	$ 10.26
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	239,580	250,144	241,329	251,876
Diluted	239,935	250,524	241,528	252,334