Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024		Sep. 30, 2023		Sep. 28, 2024		Sep. 30, 2023
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	$ 302,825		$ 1,221,255		$ 1,973,930		$ 4,039,959
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized (loss) income on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $(1,900) and $(1,500) for the third quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $(3,600) and $(10,700) for the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, respectively	(6,055)		(4,779)		(11,171)		(33,782)
Reclassification adjustment for settlement of hedging derivatives included in net earnings, net of income taxes of $1,800 and $1,100 for the third quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $6,000 and $3,100 for the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, respectively	5,955	[1]	3,579	[2]	18,771	[1]	9,982	[2]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 and 2023	9,505		(18,655)		(13,761)		12,490
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	9,405		(19,855)		(6,161)		(11,310)
Comprehensive income	312,230		1,201,400		1,967,769		4,028,649
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	52,915		79,749		233,962		300,557
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 259,315		$ 1,121,651		$ 1,733,807		$ 3,728,092

[1] Includes $5,955 and $18,771 net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $1,800 and $6,000 in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, respectively.

[2] Includes $3,579 and $9,982 net-of-tax impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $1,100 and $3,100 in the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, respectively.