Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Employee Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan, plan expense	$ 39.3	$ 148.6	$ 250.9	$ 505.2

Costs and payments related to employee profit sharing and retirement savings plans.

No definition available.

Name:	nue_ProfitSharingAndRetirementSavingsPlanExpense
Namespace Prefix:	nue_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration