v3.25.2
Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Change in Stockholder's Equity (Detail) - USD ($)
shares in Millions, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jul. 05, 2025
Jun. 29, 2024
Jul. 05, 2025
Jun. 29, 2024
BALANCES, beginning of period $ 21,115 $ 21,726 $ 21,417 $ 22,123
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests 706 712 932 1,671
Other comprehensive income (loss) 31 (1) 41 (16)
Stock options exercised   (1)    
Stock options exercised       2
Stock option expense 4 4 5 4
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures 10 13 48 73
Amortization of unearned compensation 2 2 4 5
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax (202) (504) (507) (1,515)
Cash dividends declared (128) (129) (255) (260)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests (46) (50) (214) (315)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest     25  
Miscellaneous     (4)  
BALANCES, end of period 21,492 21,772 21,492 21,772
Common Stock [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period $ 152 $ 152 $ 152 $ 152
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period 380.2 380.2 380.2 380.2
BALANCES, end of period $ 152 $ 152 $ 152 $ 152
BALANCES, shares at end of period 380.2 380.2 380.2 380.2
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period $ 2,245 $ 2,211 $ 2,223 $ 2,176
Stock options exercised   (1)    
Stock options exercised       (2)
Stock option expense 4 4 5 4
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures (38) (27) (19) 6
Amortization of unearned compensation 2 2 4 5
BALANCES, end of period 2,213 2,189 2,213 2,189
Retained Earnings [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period 30,300 29,476 30,271 28,762
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests 603 645 759 1,490
Cash dividends declared (128) (129) (255) (260)
BALANCES, end of period 30,775 29,992 30,775 29,992
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period (198) (177) (208) (162)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 31 (1) 41 (16)
BALANCES, end of period (167) (178) (167) (178)
Treasury Stock (at cost) [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period $ (12,430) $ (10,968) $ (12,144) $ (9,988)
Treasury Stock (at cost), Shares 149.4 140.4 147.4 135.3
Stock options exercised       $ 4
Stock options exercised (in shares)       (0.1)
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures $ 48 $ 40 $ 67 $ 67
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures, shares (0.5) (0.4) (0.7) (0.8)
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax $ (202) $ (504) $ (507) $ (1,515)
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax (in shares) 1.8 2.9 4.0 8.5
BALANCES, end of period $ (12,584) $ (11,432) $ (12,584) $ (11,432)
Treasury Stock (at cost), Shares 150.7 142.9 150.7 142.9
Total Nucor Stockholders' Equity [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period $ 20,069 $ 20,694 $ 20,294 $ 20,940
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests 603 645 759 1,490
Other comprehensive income (loss) 31 (1) 41 (16)
Stock options exercised   (1)    
Stock options exercised       2
Stock option expense 4 4 5 4
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures 10 13 48 73
Amortization of unearned compensation 2 2 4 5
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax (202) (504) (507) (1,515)
Cash dividends declared (128) (129) (255) (260)
BALANCES, end of period 20,389 20,723 20,389 20,723
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period 1,046 1,032 1,123 1,183
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests 103 67 173 181
Distributions to noncontrolling interests (46) (50) (214) (315)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest     25  
Miscellaneous     (4)  
BALANCES, end of period $ 1,103 $ 1,049 $ 1,103 $ 1,049