How to find LEGO set instructions, and building instructions for custom LEGO models
This page shows you how to find LEGO instructions for old sets, new sets, and custom models.
Have you lost the instructions for your favorite LEGO set?
Do you want to see LEGO instructions for a set you don't own yet?
Are you yearning for the instructions for a set you used to own when you were a kid?
Would you like to find instructions for unique custom models?
Then you're in the right place! Read on for answers and resources to help you find those elusive instructions...
Don't panic if you've lost your LEGO instructions - you can find them again!
If you'd rather get your instructions right away, several sites provide an archive of LEGO building instructions, and allow you to download them so you can print yourself a new copy.
To find what you're looking for, you need some information about the original set. The set number is most useful, as most of the sites index by this. Next most useful is the name (which varies between countries, even in the same language!) But even if you don't have either of these, so long as you know something about the set, you can probably find it.
Assuming you know the official LEGO set number, or the name...
Visit The Brickery, pick the number range which includes your set number, then the actual set number to see the instructions.
Not there? Let's try another site. Go to The Brickfactory, choose Sets by Number and pick a number range from the dropdown list at the top of the screen, or sets by name and pick a starting letter from the dropdown list.
Still no joy? Try the LEGO company's own site and enter the number or choose a category of sets to pick from.
Without knowing the number or name, you can still find the set. Several sites provide databases of lego sets which you can search by theme, or using a single word you remember from the set name, or even just something related. Try LUGNET, Peeron, or Brickley's Cross-Reference which will all link you to instructions once you find the set.
You can even buy an original copy of instructions if you'd like to have the real thing. This catalog page on Bricklink allows you to find a set by theme, promotion or year, or search by set number. Once you get to the page for the set you're looking for, click on "Instructions Entry" below the small pictures.
LEGO Costumes for Halloween
Bionicle Visorak Child Halloween Costume (Small)
When the Tora Metru return to save Metru Nui, the more...0 points
Bionicles Visorak Shield Child
Includes plastic shield only. This is an officiall more...0 points
DUPLO® KNIGHT ARMOR by Lego - for ages 3-6
Fits Size 3 to 6 with adjustable tab sides! Make P more...0 points
Bionicle Toa Vakama Hordika (Child Medium 8-10)
Toa Vakama Hordika includes mask, chest piece, jum more...0 points
BIONICLE VAKAMA - LARGE
Toa Vakama Hordika includes mask, chest piece, jum more...0 points
Bionicle Visorak Child Halloween Costume (Large)
When the Tora Metru return to save Metru Nui, the more...0 points
Reader Feedback
Know of more sources for instructions? Let me know!
| CreditCard
Great looking custom models you've got there. Posted September 23, 2008 |
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garywgoldstein
Reminds me of my childhood. I used to play LEGO and creating stuffs like buildings, etc. Posted September 14, 2008 |
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JointWinWin
Hey Kevin, you've been stumbled ;-) This is a great resource to refer to when you need to get out of a Lego "hole" and placate the kids! Great work Posted August 10, 2008 |
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AllThingsMichigan
I'm a big fan of Lego and over the years as a child I always saved my instructions for each set I had. They are all in a box and I should probably put them someplace I'm less apt to forget. Posted August 09, 2008 |
| surfsusan
Greetings from the Land of Lego ;-) excellent and informative lens 5 stars to you. Posted July 28, 2008 |
| BeadBrain
You are my hero today. I went to Brickfactory & found the instructions I needed. THANK YOU! Posted May 26, 2008 |
| PeterMark
Good info thanks. My son is getting into Lego so I have bookmarked this page. BTW if you like wargames check my lens out. http://www.squidoo.com/wargaming Posted January 12, 2008 |
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kab
Great lens! Thanks for joining the Lego Group! Posted October 05, 2007 |
| KarenHS2
Totally awesome. I have two legomaniacs in the house now and we are starting a Lego club with our homeschool group very soon. I am bookmarking this site! Posted August 24, 2007 |
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kevinw1
LOL, go ahead and play with the lego now! Why wait! Posted August 24, 2007 |
Books with LEGO instructions
The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide by Allan Bedford
What exactly is a slope? What's the difference bet more...2 points
What exactly is a slope? What's the difference between a tile and a plate? Why is it bad to simply stack bricks in columns to make a wall? The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide is here to answer your questions.
Focusing on building actual models with real bricks, The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide comes with complete instructions to build several cool models but also encourages you to use your imagination to create your own fantastic creations.
Inside, you'll learn:
- The best ways to connect brick...
Forbidden LEGO: Build the Models Your Parents Warned You Against! by Ulrik Pilegaard, Mike Dooley
It just may be impossible to exhaust the creative more...1 point
F...
1 pointThe Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide by David J. Perdue
The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT set includes a variety more...0 points
The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT set includes a variety of powerful electronic parts (motors, sensors, and the programmable NXT microcomputer) and lots of building elements. With these parts you can create thousands of unique, intelligent robots. The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide helps you to harness the capabilities of the NXT set and effectively plan, build, and program your own NXT robots.
The first part of the book contains a brief introduction to the NXT set. You'll then examine...
0 pointsLego Crazy Action Contraptions: A Lego Inventions Book (Klutz) by Dan Rathjen
With the universal appeal of LEGO building blocks, more...0 points
The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build by Martijn Boogaarts, Jonathan A. Daudelin, Brian L. Davis, Jim Kelly, Lou Morris, Fay and Rick Rhodes, Matthias Paul Scholz, Christopher R. Smith, Rob Torok
If you're serious about having fun with LEGO robot more...0 points
Follow along with the MINDSTORMS NXT experts as they explain the fundamental...
0 pointsLego for Adults - build real working LEGO guns
LEGO for ADULTS temporary sold out in the US!
Be p more...0 points
Lego Modelers: Build Amazing Animals from Bricks You Have at Home
With this clear and informative building guide, ki more...0 points
LEGO Modelers: Fabulous Figures (Modelers, LEGO) by DK Publishing
With this clear and informative building guide, ki more...0 points
Virtual LEGO: The Official LDraw.org Guide To LDraw Tools for Windows by Tim Courtney, Ahui Herrera, Steve Bliss
Virtual LEGO introduces you to a suite of software more...0 points
Custom Instructions
when the standard LEGO sets are not enough...
The very best resource for custom instructions was the Building Instructions Portal, or BIP. Unfortunately the website no longer exists, but you can still see much of the content using the internet archive Wayback Machine. Links from this page may be broken but it's worth exploring. Scroll down the page to see the list of categories.
Brickshelf.com is an image archive service for LEGO creations, and some people display instructions there too.
Other individual sites include:
Legoat.com Town Small buildings, vehicles and train cars
Lions Gate Models (my site): Large, detailed LEGO city buildings, ships, and vehicles
Michael Epley Lighthouses, castle buildings, spaceships, and more
MICHLUG vehicles, train cars, castle buildings
You can also visit the LEGO Factory site, where many fans have created models and uploaded them to the LEGO company site.
LEGO star wars sets
LEGO Trade Federation MTT
When the Trade Federation MTT shows up, it's time more...0 points
LEGO Star Wars Motorized Walking AT-AT
Motorized action straight from the Star Wars movie more...0 points
LEGO Star Wars AT-AP Podwalker
Bombard the enemies of the Republic from long rang more...0 points
LEGO® Jedi Starfighter%u2122 with Hyperdrive Booster Ring
When the Jedi Knights need to travel across the ga more...0 points
Lego Star Wars 7659 Imperial Landing Craft
Battle the forces of the Rebellion wherever they h more...0 points
Lego 6211 Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer
Young Jedi can take to the skies in this massive m more...0 points
LEGO Star Wars Slave I
Fearsome bounty hunter Boba Fett is back, stalking more...0 points
LEGO Star Wars Rogue Shadow
Carrying Darth Vader's apprentice on secret missio more...0 points
Lego Star Wars X-Wing Fighter with Luke Skywalker , Wedge Antiles , R2-D2 , Princess Leia , Han Solo and Chewbacca Mini Figures
The X-wing star fighter helped to destroy two mass more...0 points
LEGO Official Instructions sites
- Brickery
- Building instructions archive
- Brickfactory
- Information about building instructions for Lego-sets
- LEGO.com Building Instructions Home Page
- Official LEGO company building instructions download page
- legoat.com - LEGO building instruction
- Lego set instruction for building, lego building ideas.
- Brickley’s Words » Search LEGO Instructions
- Search LEGO Instructions
- Peeron Instruction Scan Archive
- More LEGO set instructions to download
My custom LEGO models
I provide instructions for all these models at www.lionsgatemodels.com
Build your own LEGO play table

How To Build A Toy Train Table
Build a toy train table or play activity table in 3 hours using these detailed plans and your own materials. Thomas/Brio/LEGO compatible. Save Up To 75% over ready-made tables!
Lego Instructions news on the web
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byThe Buying LEGO FAQ
Where to find it, best deals, new and used LEGO...
Buying LEGO FAQ - New LEGO, LEGO sets, Bulk LEGO, Used LEGO and spare LEGO pieces

























