LEGO Instructions: for new and old LEGO sets and even custom models

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How to find LEGO set instructions, and building instructions for custom LEGO models

This page shows you how to find LEGO instructions online for old sets, new sets, and custom models. Most you can download, but you can also find ways to get original printed instructions.

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! 

razor-pocket-mod-scooter-330x300.jpg - 34kb
If you're seeking lost instructions for a recent set you own, you can contact LEGO customer service and they'll send you new instructions - for a small fee.

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.

Reader Feedback 

Know of more sources for instructions? Let me know!

Global_B2B wrote...

Welcome to the Childrens Toys Headquarters! Glad to have you in my group.

ReplyPosted April 13, 2009

0ctavias0fferings wrote...

We have so many Lego Pirates kits jumbled up in a box and no idea what happened to the instructions for most of them. Thank goodness the actual ships are still intact on a high shelf. 5* and a sprinkling of Angel Dust for a lens I will return to often for reference.

ReplyPosted April 13, 2009

cinstress wrote...

Great lens. I hope you don't mind I added your link to my lego site
http://www.squidoo.com/starwarslegominifig

ReplyPosted April 07, 2009

marsha32 wrote...

I am adding this to the featured lenses on my own Legos lens.

ReplyPosted March 26, 2009

Lego-Sets wrote...

This is great. I never new I could find the directions for old Lego sets. Thanks.

ReplyPosted February 28, 2009

OhMe wrote...

Great information for this great lens.

ReplyPosted November 25, 2008

CreditCard wrote...

Great looking custom models you've got there.

ReplyPosted September 23, 2008

garywgoldstein wrote...

Reminds me of my childhood. I used to play LEGO and creating stuffs like buildings, etc.

ReplyPosted September 14, 2008

JointWinWin wrote...

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

ReplyPosted August 10, 2008

AllThingsMichigan wrote...

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.

Nice lens!

ReplyPosted August 09, 2008

 
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Books with LEGO instructions 

The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide by Allan Bedford

The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide by Allan Bedford

What exactly is a slope? What's the difference bet more...2 points

Forbidden LEGO: Build the Models Your Parents Warned You Against! by Ulrik Pilegaard, Mike Dooley

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

The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide by David J. Perdue

The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide by David J. Perdue

The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT set includes a variety more...0 points

Lego Crazy Action Contraptions: A Lego Inventions Book (Klutz) by Dan Rathjen

Lego 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

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

Lego for Adults - build real working LEGO guns

Lego 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

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

LEGO Modelers: Fabulous Figures (Modelers, LEGO) by DK Publishing

With this clear and informative building guide, ki more...0 points

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT One-Kit Wonders: Ten Inventions to Spark Your Imagination by James Floyd Kelly, Matthias Paul Scholz, Christopher R. Smith, Martijn Boogaarts, Jonathan Daudelin, Eric D. Burdo, Laurens Valk, BlueTooth Kiwi

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT One-Kit Wonders: Ten Inventions to Spark Your Imagination by James Floyd Kelly, Matthias Paul Scholz, Christopher R. Smith, Martijn Boogaarts, Jonathan Daudelin, Eric D. Burdo, Laurens Valk, BlueTooth Kiwi

The creative minds behind The NXT STEP blog are ba more...0 points

Custom Instructions 

when the standard LEGO sets are not enough...

Given the huge numbers of LEGO fans online, adult and youth, it's not surprising that some of them create instructions - some free and some not - so that you can build your own versions of their models. A Google search on "custom LEGO instructions" will find all kinds of interesting things but here are some sites to get you started:

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

LEGO Trade Federation MTT

When the Trade Federation MTT shows up, it's time more...1 point

LEGO Star Wars Motorized Walking AT-AT

LEGO Star Wars Motorized Walking AT-AT

Motorized action straight from the Star Wars movie more...0 points

LEGO Star Wars AT-AP Podwalker

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

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

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

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

LEGO Star Wars Slave I

Fearsome bounty hunter Boba Fett is back, stalking more...0 points

LEGO Star Wars Rogue Shadow

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

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 

Sites which archive official LEGO set instructions
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

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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 

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The Buying LEGO FAQ 

Where to find it, best deals, new and used LEGO...

I maintain a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions page) about how best to buy bulk LEGO bricks, LEGO spare parts, minifigs (people), etc - including Duplo, Mindstorms and technic as well as regular System LEGO. If you're planning on buying any LEGO sets or pieces, take a look here first :
Buying LEGO FAQ - New LEGO, LEGO sets, Bulk LEGO, Used LEGO and spare LEGO pieces

LEGO Instructions on Video 

How to get lego instructions off the Lego website

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