Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2024		Jul. 01, 2023		Jun. 29, 2024		Jul. 01, 2023
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	$ 712,143		$ 1,587,075		$ 1,671,105		$ 2,818,704
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Net unrealized income (loss) on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $0 and $(1,400) for the second quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $(1,700) and $(9,200) for the first six months of 2024 and 2023, respectively	125		(4,428)		(5,116)		(29,003)
Reclassification adjustment for settlement of hedging derivatives included in net earnings, net of income taxes of $2,400 and $1,900 for the second quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $4,200 and $2,000 for the first six months of 2024 and 2023, respectively	7,475	[1]	6,228	[2]	12,816	[1]	6,403	[2]
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of income taxes of $0 for the second quarter and first six months of 2024 and 2023	(7,798)		34,586		(23,266)		31,145
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(198)		36,386		(15,566)		8,545
Comprehensive income	711,945		1,623,461		1,655,539		2,827,249
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	66,926		125,721		181,047		220,808
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 645,019		$ 1,497,740		$ 1,474,492		$ 2,606,441

[1] Includes $7,475 and $12,816 net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the second quarter and first six months of 2024, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $2,400 and $4,200 in the second quarter and first six months of 2024, respectively.

[2] Includes $6,228 and $6,403 net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net gains on commodity contracts in the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $1,900 and $2,000 in the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively.