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Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) | Jul. 04, 2015
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Nucor-Yamato Steel Company [Member] |
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items] |
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent | 51.00%

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- Definition Stockholders' Equity [Line Items] + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | nue_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |