Tom Alphin, author of The LEGO Architect, has learned a thing or two about LEGO® Elements over the years. He has spent much of the past decade producing a great collection of labels that LEGO Fans around the world use to help sort their LEGO Collections.
His latest book, The LEGO Parts Guide, explores the parts that are out there, how they connect to other elements, and some history and geometry along the way.
Tom sent me a pre-release copy a week or two ago, but you can now find it live on Amazon. The softcover book has 134 pages and is priced at US$24.99 / €24.99 / £19.99 / CA$34.99 / AU$34.99.
Give 10 people the chance to define how they classify LEGO elements, and you will probably get 17 different answers. Having spent the better part of a decade on his element labels, Tom has probably thought it through more than many. While it might not follow the taxonomies used by BrickLink and the LEGO Group, his section headings and subsections work (for me) as a useful functional guide.
The book opens with some general remarks on sorting, before discussing the basics of measurements within the LEGO system and some thoughts on how you might use this book.
Subsequent chapters bring together the history of elements, measurements, classification, and how they might connect to or interact with other elements, before providing a sensibly spaced collection of illustrations. The pages have plenty of room for your own annotations.
I particularly appreciated the section on curves, where he discusses the different radii of circles you can build with curved elements. I also appreciated the fairly comprehensive list of minifigure accessories.
Tom does not go into the fine differences that occur as elements are revised over time, which might bother builders working with elements that have had multiple versions over the years, such as plates with clips. Likewise, it doesn’t cover availability in opaque or transparent colours or specific manufacturing materials. This is a builder’s guide, not an exhaustive LEGO Catalogue – and as such, most builders will have the resources to look these up in greater detail, should they wish.
However, there is scope for improvement in future editions: While the Technic section discusses the importance of gear ratios, as well as the relationship of the tooth count to the circumference, it does not explain how to determine the spacing between axle centres for different gear combinations. A practical guide to these distances would make this section more useful for builders starting to experiment with gear trains.
This is a workbook, not a coffee table book. Tom’s writing style is engaging, and the layout helps you find what you are looking for fast, with plenty of space for your notes and annotations. You may choose to take time to colour in your favourite elements, if you wish.
I found myself adding the year of introduction to different elements for a project I am working on. I find this format works a little better for my learning style than just calling up element classes on BrickLink. Each section also has a page of grid-ruled paper, for your own notes.
The book includes plenty of QR codes linking to additional resources on the Brick Architect website.
I received the copy via a print-on-demand service, and it arrived quickly after Tom took my address (a couple of days in Australia). The paper quality is good for annotating; the cover clearly tells you what the book is about, featuring the icons used in the table of contents. The rear cover provides a brief introduction and an illustration of the 45 colours, with official LEGO names and numbers, BrickLink names in brackets, and a ruler for quick measurement of bricks, bars, and wheels.
The LEGO System in play constantly evolving but this first edition includes the elements recently introduced as part of the LEGO Pokémon range (August 2026). I asked Tom about his future plans, and he intends to provide annual updates.
Overall, I recommend this book for anyone trying to master the LEGO System to enable their own builds. At its current price, I think it’s worth the annual investment, depending on how much new material each edition includes.
You can find the book on Amazon for US$24.99 / 24.99€ / £19.99 / CA$34.99 / AU$34.99 here! (NON-affiliate link).
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Until Next Time,
Play Well!
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