v3.26.1
Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Change in Stockholder's Equity (Detail) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jul. 04, 2026
Jul. 05, 2025
Jul. 04, 2026
Jul. 05, 2025
BALANCES, beginning of period $ 22,548 $ 21,115 $ 22,124 $ 21,417
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests 1,280 706 2,150 932
Other comprehensive income (loss) (8) 31 (20) 41
Stock options exercised 11   $ 15  
Stock options exercised (in shares)     221  
Stock option expense 4 4 $ 4 5
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures (28) 10 6 48
Amortization of unearned compensation 2 2 4 4
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax (353) (202) (479) (507)
Cash dividends declared (128) (128) (257) (255)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests (62) (46) (282) (214)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest       25
Miscellaneous     1 (4)
BALANCES, end of period 23,266 21,492 23,266 21,492
Common Stock [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period $ 152 $ 152 $ 152 $ 152
BALANCES, shares at beginning of period 380,200 380,200 380,200 380,200
BALANCES, end of period $ 152 $ 152 $ 152 $ 152
BALANCES, shares at end of period 380,200 380,200 380,200 380,200
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period $ 2,274 $ 2,245 $ 2,253 $ 2,223
Stock options exercised (3)   (4)  
Stock option expense 4 4 4 5
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures (70) (38) (51) (19)
Amortization of unearned compensation 2 2 4 4
Miscellaneous     1  
BALANCES, end of period 2,207 2,213 2,207 2,213
Retained Earnings [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period 32,118 30,300 31,504 30,271
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests 1,156 603 1,899 759
Cash dividends declared (128) (128) (257) (255)
BALANCES, end of period 33,146 30,775 33,146 30,775
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period (206) (198) (194) (208)
Other comprehensive income (loss) (8) 31 (20) 41
BALANCES, end of period (214) (167) (214) (167)
Treasury Stock (at cost) [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period $ (12,885) $ (12,430) $ (12,779) $ (12,144)
Treasury Stock (at cost), Shares 152,400 149,400 151,900 147,400
Stock options exercised $ 14   $ 19  
Stock options exercised (in shares) (200)   (200)  
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures $ 42 $ 48 $ 57 $ 67
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures, shares (500) (500) (700) (700)
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax $ (353) $ (202) $ (479) $ (507)
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax (in shares) 1,500 1,800 2,200 4,000
BALANCES, end of period $ (13,182) $ (12,584) $ (13,182) $ (12,584)
Treasury Stock (at cost), Shares 153,200 150,700 153,200 150,700
Total Nucor Stockholders' Equity [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period $ 21,453 $ 20,069 $ 20,936 $ 20,294
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests 1,156 603 1,899 759
Other comprehensive income (loss) (8) 31 (20) 41
Stock options exercised 11   15  
Stock options exercised       0
Stock option expense 4 4 4 5
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures (28) 10 6 48
Amortization of unearned compensation 2 2 4 4
Treasury stock acquired, and net impact of excise tax (353) (202) (479) (507)
Cash dividends declared (128) (128) (257) (255)
Miscellaneous     1  
BALANCES, end of period 22,109 20,389 22,109 20,389
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]        
BALANCES, beginning of period 1,095 1,046 1,188 1,123
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests 124 103 251 173
Distributions to noncontrolling interests (62) (46) (282) (214)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest       25
Miscellaneous       (4)
BALANCES, end of period $ 1,157 $ 1,103 $ 1,157 $ 1,103