Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Change in Stockholder's Equity (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 05, 2025	Mar. 30, 2024
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 21,417	$ 22,123
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	226	959
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10	(15)
Stock options exercised		3
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	38	60
Amortization of unearned compensation	3	3
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax	(305)	(1,011)
Cash dividends declared	(127)	(131)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(172)	(265)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest	25
BALANCES, end of period	21,115	21,726
Common Stock [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 152	$ 152
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period	380.2	380.2
BALANCES, end of period	$ 152	$ 152
BALANCES, shares at end of period	380.2	380.2
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 2,223	$ 2,176
Stock options exercised		(1)
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	19	33
Amortization of unearned compensation	3	3
BALANCES, end of period	2,245	2,211
Retained Earnings [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	30,271	28,762
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	156	845
Cash dividends declared	(127)	(131)
BALANCES, end of period	30,300	29,476
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	(208)	(162)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10	(15)
BALANCES, end of period	(198)	(177)
Treasury Stock (at cost) [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ (12,144)	$ (9,988)
Treasury Stock (at cost), Shares	147.4	135.3
Stock options exercised		$ 4
Stock options exercised (in shares)		(0.1)
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	$ 19	$ 27
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures, shares	(0.3)	(0.3)
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax	$ (305)	$ (1,011)
Treasury stock acquired and net impact of excise tax (in shares)	2.3	5.5
BALANCES, end of period	$ (12,430)	$ (10,968)
Treasury Stock (at cost), Shares	149.4	140.4
Total Nucor Stockholders' Equity [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	$ 20,294	$ 20,940
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	156	845
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10	(15)
Stock options exercised		3
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures	38	60
Amortization of unearned compensation	3	3
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax	(305)	(1,011)
Cash dividends declared	(127)	(131)
BALANCES, end of period	20,069	20,694
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
BALANCES, beginning of period	1,123	1,183
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	70	114
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(172)	(265)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest	25
BALANCES, end of period	$ 1,046	$ 1,032