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

Ranked #19 in Hobbies, Games & Toys, #358 overall

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

This page helps you to find LEGO instructions online for all kinds of sets - official LEGO company sets (old, retired and new), and custom LEGO models as well. Most of them can be downloaded, 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?

  • Are you looking to build retired LEGO sets and you need the instructions?


Then this is the place! Read on for answers and resources to help you find those elusive instructions...

Custom LEGO model images copyright 2000-2011 Kevin R. Wilson, Lions Gate Models.

Don't panic if you've lost your LEGO instructions - you can find them again!

LEGO model of farmhouseIf 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 at least part of the name...

Try the LEGO company's own site and enter the number or choose a category of sets to pick from, or search by a keyword in the set name.

Still no joy? Let's try another site. Go to Worldbricks, choose Instructions Number and pick a number range from the dropdown list at the top of the screen, or Instructions Theme and pick a starting letter from the dropdown list.

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 or Peeron, which will 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.

Books with LEGO instructions

What's Your Favorite LEGO Theme?

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Custom Instructions

when the standard LEGO sets are not enough...

LEGO model for railroad depotGiven 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 used to be 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:

Cubiculus.com Small buildings, vehicles and train cars

Lions Gate Models (my site): Large, detailed LEGO City building instructions such as this Car Ferry model.


My instructions come on CDs for US$9.99 each, with multiple models per CD (and shipping is free anywhere in the world). Many of the model instructions are also available for instant download for US$7 each.

You can also visit the LEGO "Design by Me" site, where many fans have created models and uploaded them to the LEGO company site.

LEGO Official Instructions sites

Sites which archive official LEGO set instructions
Brickfactory
Information about building instructions for Lego-sets
LEGO.com Building Instructions Home Page
Official LEGO company building instructions download page
Cubiculus.com - LEGO building instructions
Lego set instruction for building, lego building ideas.
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
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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

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LEGO star wars sets

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What do you call Instructions?

While the LEGO company calls them LEGO "Instructions", there are other names for them too. LEGO plans, directions and patterns are all ways of naming the same thing: those pages of (almost) wordless pictures which teach you exactly how to make an amazing LEGO creation. I wonder if IKEA modeled their wordless building instructions for their furniture on LEGO instructions? Is it something in the air in Scandinavia?

All my LEGO Pages

Here's the complete list of my LEGO pages on Squidoo and elsewhere

LEGO Instructions: for new and old LEGO sets and even custom models
LEGO Christmas Toys
LEGO Minifigures
LEGO Mini Figures Series 2
LEGO Minifigures Series 5
LEGO Hard To Find Items
Ninja LEGO is Back! NINJAGO
LEGO Sets 2012
LEGO Space Shuttle Sets
LEGO Pet Shop 10218
LEGO 8183: Remote Control Lego Car
LEGO Deals: Cheap Legos for Sale
LEGO Batman: Videos and Batman LEGO Sets
LEGO Airport 3182 in LEGO City Videos | Legos City
Halo Legos: Really they are Mega Bloks!
LEGO Lava Dragon: Can Your Knight Win This Lego Game?
LEGO Monster 4: A Legos Game to Build, Play and Change
LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean
Lions Gate Models custom LEGO instructions
Custom LEGO Minifigs
Buy Bulk LEGOS by the Pound
LEGO Cupcakes: Lego Birthday Cake Ideas
LEGO Accessories for Sale
LEGO Friends
LEGO Sets 2012: Lego Star Wars Sets 2012
LEGO Mindstorms Kit: NXT Robot
LEGO Technic Construction Sets
LEGO Blacktron: First Lego Space Theme
Best-Selling LEGO
Lego bricks -- not just for children anymore

More Toy and Gift Resources

christmas tree and children

Get the best Christmas gift ideas and shop online - make Christmas shopping quick and easy

Best Christmas gift for young artists - Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel
The Melissa and Doug deluxe standing easel is an evergreen gift and will be a favorite toy for years to come. This kids easel is sturdily made, double sided, comes with blackboard and dry erase surfaces and a paper roll holder for paper, folds for storage, and will keep your young artist(s) happy for hours.
http://www.deluxestandingeasel.com

Razor Pocket Mod Miniature Euro Electric Scooter
Make your child the coolest - and the happiest - in the neighborhood when you give them this Razor electric scooter for Christmas. Reliable, quiet electric motor, choice of cool colors, and classic scooter styling in miniature makes this a bestselling item.
http://www.kids-electric-scooters.com

LEGO Mindstorms NXT - the next generation in robot kits
NXT is the new generation of LEGO Mindstorms robot kits, a great Xmas gift for the "builders" on your list. Works with existing LEGO Technic pieces too! Build whatever your imagination can come up with, then program it yourself to make it come to "life".
http://www.lionsgatemodels.com/lego-mindstorms-nxt.htm

LEGO Advent Calendar 2011 provides 24 days of family fun.
With a tiny set or a minifigure behind every window from Dec 1st to Dec 24th, the LEGO Advent calendar is fun for the whole family, and after the holidays your kids can add the pieces and figures to their existing LEGO for even more long-lasting play value. This year there's a selection of different LEGO Advent Calendars!
http://www.lionsgatemodels.com/lego-advent-calendar.htm

LEGO Republic Gunship
The LEGO Republic Gunship is a great LEGO Star Wars model with lots of playability and interesting construction for hours of fun.
http://www.lionsgatemodels.com/lego-republic-gunship.htm

LEGO Death Star - huge Star Wars model kit
Who doesn't remember the Death Star? Here it is in all its huge (over 3400 pieces) looming glory, with super laser and enough weapons and defences to make any Star Wars fan happy.
http://www.lionsgatemodels.com/lego-death-star.htm

What do you think?

Know of more sources for instructions? Let me know!

  • genuineaid May 22, 2012 @ 9:10 pm | delete
    I like the Lego piano video :)
  • aksem62 Apr 6, 2012 @ 5:29 pm | delete
    Thank you. You helped me much. I was looking for lost instruction for one of my granson's LEGO sets
  • HomeschooledKid Mar 28, 2012 @ 11:10 am | delete
    Great lens! (I love instructions, and to build!)
  • bookwormlaser Mar 26, 2012 @ 7:01 pm | delete
    Great instructions. I really like the custom models you have built. Trying to get my son more interested in making custom models
  • brynimagire Mar 20, 2012 @ 4:16 am | delete
    Nice building. Great lens !
  • Gabriel360 Mar 3, 2012 @ 12:59 pm | delete
    Great lens!
  • nhotdeals Feb 28, 2012 @ 9:57 pm | delete
    Great lens. My grandmother used to get us Lego with Corn Flakes Box Tops
  • MarcGuberti Feb 28, 2012 @ 7:49 pm | delete
    Wow. I love the legos!
  • scraps2treasures Feb 25, 2012 @ 3:30 pm | delete
    My husband has some kits from when he was a kid that no longer have instructions. I will have to share this great lens with him. Thanks for putting all the information together!
  • PecjakJN Feb 24, 2012 @ 11:53 am | delete
    very nice beautiful leans thanks for sharing!
  • MarcGuberti Feb 22, 2012 @ 8:42 pm | delete
    I love this lens!
  • vinc18 Feb 18, 2012 @ 8:41 am | delete
    Hi, I added this your lens in my lens "Do It Yourself Ideas"
  • MelonyVaughan Feb 8, 2012 @ 11:37 pm | delete
    I've loved LEGO since childhood. Thanks for this wonderful lens!
  • oakstreet Feb 6, 2012 @ 3:22 am | delete
    Your LEGO piano looks like the lego piano I have at home. Very similar to mine except the chair. Great len and I always like to play with lego even I am not a kid anymore.A "like" from me.
  • Mistel Feb 5, 2012 @ 7:10 pm | delete
    I love LEGO, the piano is really cool.:)
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kevinw1

I sell custom LEGO building instructions that people can use with their own LEGO pieces to build huge city models, and I'm a remodeler, gardener, SCAdian,... more »

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