| Cover Page | Sep. 05, 2019 |
| Cover [Abstract] | |
| Entity Registrant Name | NUCOR CORPORATION |
| Document Type | 8-K/A |
| Amendment Flag | true |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000073309 |
| Document Period End Date | Sep. 5, 2019 |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Entity File Number | 1-4119 |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 13-1860817 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 1915 Rexford Road |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Charlotte |
| Entity Address, State or Province | NC |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 28211 |
| City Area Code | 704 |
| Local Phone Number | 366-7000 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Title of each class | Common stock, par value $0.40 per share |
| Trading Symbol | NUE |
| Name of each exchange on which registered | NYSE |
| Amendment Description | This Amendment No. 2 amends the Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Original 8-K”) Nucor Corporation (the “Company”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 9, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed with the SEC on September 26, 2019 (“Amendment No. 1”), regarding, among other things, the election of Leon J. Topalian to succeed John J. Ferriola as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on January 1, 2020 following Mr. Ferriola’s retirement as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on December 31, 2019. The disclosure included in the Original 8-K, as amended by Amendment No. 1, otherwise remains unchanged. |
