Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Change in Stockholder's Equity (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2024	Jul. 01, 2023	Jun. 29, 2024	Jul. 01, 2023
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 21,725,519	$ 19,929,870	$ 22,123,754	$ 19,569,906
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	712,143	1,587,075	1,671,105	2,818,704
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(198)	36,386	(15,566)	8,545
Stock options exercised	192		$ 2,880	7,123
Stock options exercised (in shares)			58
Stock option expense	3,626	3,447	$ 4,018	3,922
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	12,326	16,149	72,290	59,969
Amortization of unearned compensation	2,500	1,501	5,100	3,265
Treasury stock value acquired	(504,381)	(454,814)	(1,515,620)	(884,627)
Cash dividends declared	(129,470)	(127,725)	(260,269)	(257,108)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(49,749)	(50,961)	(315,184)	(388,771)
BALANCES, end of period	$ 21,772,508	20,940,928	$ 21,772,508	20,940,928
BALANCES, shares at end of period	380,154		380,154
Common Stock [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 152,061	$ 152,061	$ 152,061	$ 152,061
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period	380,154	380,154	380,154	380,154
BALANCES, end of period	$ 152,061	$ 152,061	$ 152,061	$ 152,061
BALANCES, shares at end of period	380,154	380,154	380,154	380,154
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 2,210,823	$ 2,168,770	$ 2,176,243	$ 2,143,520
Stock options exercised	(121)		(1,570)	(1,749)
Stock option expense	3,626	3,447	4,018	3,922
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	(27,457)	(24,025)	5,580	735
Amortization of unearned compensation	2,500	1,501	5,100	3,265
BALANCES, end of period	2,189,371	2,149,693	2,189,371	2,149,693
Retained Earnings [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	29,476,087	25,762,032	28,762,045	24,754,873
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	645,217	1,461,354	1,490,058	2,597,896
Cash dividends declared	(129,470)	(127,725)	(260,269)	(257,108)
BALANCES, end of period	29,991,834	27,095,661	29,991,834	27,095,661
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	(177,440)	(165,358)	(162,072)	(137,517)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(198)	36,386	(15,566)	8,545
BALANCES, end of period	(177,638)	(128,972)	(177,638)	(128,972)
Treasury Stock (at cost) [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ (10,967,818)	$ (8,900,124)	$ (9,987,643)	$ (8,498,243)
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period	140,392	128,930	135,252	126,661
Stock options exercised	$ 313			$ 8,872
Stock options exercised (in shares)	(4)		(58)	(131)
Stock option expense			$ 4,450
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	$ 39,783	$ 40,174	$ 66,710	$ 59,234
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures, shares	(501)	(566)	(845)	(889)
Treasury stock value acquired	$ (504,381)	$ (454,814)	$ (1,515,620)	$ (884,627)
Treasury stock acquired (in shares)	2,929	3,067	8,467	5,790
BALANCES, end of period	$ (11,432,103)	$ (9,314,764)	$ (11,432,103)	$ (9,314,764)
BALANCES, shares at end of period	142,816	131,431	142,816	131,431
Total Nucor Stockholders' Equity [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 20,693,713	$ 19,017,381	$ 20,940,634	$ 18,414,694
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	645,217	1,461,354	1,490,058	2,597,896
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(198)	36,386	(15,566)	8,545
Stock options exercised	192		2,880	7,123
Stock option expense	3,626	3,447	4,018	3,922
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	12,326	16,149	72,290	59,969
Amortization of unearned compensation	2,500	1,501	5,100	3,265
Treasury stock value acquired	(504,381)	(454,814)	(1,515,620)	(884,627)
Cash dividends declared	(129,470)	(127,725)	(260,269)	(257,108)
BALANCES, end of period	20,723,525	19,953,679	20,723,525	19,953,679
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	1,031,806	912,489	1,183,120	1,155,212
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	66,926	125,721	181,047	220,808
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(49,749)	(50,961)	(315,184)	(388,771)
BALANCES, end of period	$ 1,048,983	$ 987,249	$ 1,048,983	$ 987,249