Category: Parts

We are LEGO geeks… That’s why we like to write nerdy articles that take a closer look at some of the most common (and rarest) LEGO parts.

Redesigning the Most Common LEGO Parts Guide

The new experience is interactive, updated regularly, and integrates nicely with the LEGO Parts Guide.

Last month, I launched a completely new LEGO Parts Guide which allows you to explore LEGO parts using a streamlined, well-organized alternative to sites like Bricklink or Rebrickable. I am thrilled to share a new experience that builds on the Parts Guide in an elegant way.

You may discover this ranking data when browsing the Parts Guide — Rankings are now shown for every part.

You may have already discovered the ranking data when browsing the Parts Guide — Rankings are now shown for every part.

I believe that having easy access to raking data will be tremendously helpful to people trying to organize their own LEGO Collections. Why? Because it gives people a much better sense about which parts are common and which ones are rare — You probably don’t need a dedicated drawer in your storage solution if a part isn’t very common (unless you have gone out of your way to acquire that part in bulk).

Parts are ranked on multiple dimensions, with a 'weighted' ranking that takes multiple values into account at the top.

Parts are ranked on multiple dimensions, with a weighted ‘Overall Rank’ at the top which takes multiple metrics into account.

There are two ways to explore the Most Common LEGO Parts:

Explore the Current Most Common LEGO Parts, sorted by weighted ranking.

Explore the Current Most Common LEGO Parts, sorted by weighted ranking.

The ‘Overall Rank’ is weighted to highlight parts that are most common against three different measures – the sheer number of pieces produced of that part, the number of sets that the part comes in, and the number of unique colors that the part has been produced in. If you want to sort the list in a different way, you can click on the tabs along the top

One of my favorite views highlights those parts which have been produced for the longest time.

One of my favorite views highlights those parts which have been produced for the longest time.

Looking Back: I first launched my original guide to the Most Common LEGO Parts in 2019. It was cobbled together using an embarrasing mix of Microsoft Access and Excel, which was exported as static HTML for use on the website. Even though I was unable to update it with new data very often, it grew to be one of the most popular resources at Brick Architect! That’s why I am so excited about this new experience — I can update it whenever I want by simply re-importing the inventories and re-calculating the results.

Please spend some time exploring the new and improved Most Common LEGO Parts Guide by visiting https://brickarchitect.com/parts/most-common/ — Thanks!

You can also join an enthusiastic discussion about these new features at r/LegoStorage on Reddit. Your feedback matters, so please leave a comment or email me your ideas!

Updated for 2022: Most Common LEGO Parts

Explore the top 1000 most common parts from 2018-2022 and recent evolution of the LEGO Parts Library.

The Most Common LEGO Parts also happens to be one of the most popular articles here at Brick Architect. While it’s interesting to see which parts are the most common, I particularly enjoy learning about parts which are gaining popularity over time, as well as those which are slowly fading to obscurity.

In other words, we can find the slow evolution of the LEGO System of Play hidden in the data.

The 2022 update highlights a few trends in recent years, such as:

  1. The rising popularity of tiny pieces.
  2. Decreasing emphasis on basic bricks and plates.
  3. Possible decrease in popularity of Technic parts.
  4. Blossoming popularity of plant pieces.
  5. Stable popularity for SNOT pieces.

It was also interesting to observe the impact of a single set on the rankings; #10307 Eiffel Tower alone is responsible for doubling the popularity of one part: Bar 2L w/ Stop (part 78258).

Take a deeper dive into the Most Common LEGO Parts.

Update: LEGO ‘Powered Up’ guide

Several updates to make the guide even better!

Over the past 3 years, The LEGO Group has accelerated their transition from the older Power Functions motors to the new Powered Up system. This year, a few new parts were released, signaling the end of the Power Functions era.

4 additional parts added to LEGO Powered Up Guide.

4 new parts added to LEGO Powered Up Guide.

I created a guide to the Powered Up system last year to help people understand the new system. This update makes the guide even better!

What’s new in this update?

  1. Added four new components to the guide.
    Technic Powered-up Battery Box (part 22167), 2-port Small Intelligent Hub (part 67351), Sm. Angular Motor (part 68488), and 3×3 LED Matrix (part 47592).
  2. Added a Table of Contents, Shopping Guide, and more…
Learn more about ‘Powered Up’ at brickarchitect.com/powered-up.

Update: 2021 Most Common LEGO Parts

At least once year, I update the Most Common LEGO Parts to reflect those parts are gaining (and losing) popularity over time. This revised analysis is based on all of the sets released so far from 2017-2021.

10 parts that caught my eye…

Rank Image Part ID & Name Notes
14 (+22) 25269 – Tile Round 1 x 1 Quarter It jumped 36th place last year and 14th place this year. The rise no doubt follows the increased popularity of LEGO Dots.
9 (-3) 3004 – 1×2 Brick The humble 1×2 is about as simple as it gets, but it has dropped three positions in the rankings in a single year…
It’s not alone; other classic bricks like the 2×2, 2×3, and 2×4 have gone down in the rankings, too.
147 (-75) 33291 – 1×1 Plate, Flower (4 Petals) Here’s a seemingly classic part that’s plummeting in the charts because it retired in 2020. By contrast, heir-apparent 1×1 w/ 5 Petals (Part #24866) rose 13 spots to 38th place this year.
216 (+90) 36841 – Bracket 1 x 1 – 1 x 1 It’s no surprise that this incredibly useful part continues to grow in popularity!
240 (-43) 15379 – Technic Link Tread with Beveled Edge The part has been common in the past, but is falling in popularity… It’s in just one set this year.
283 (+129) 26287 – Technic Driving Ring Connector Smooth Sometimes you just need a slightly longer Axle connector, or so it seems!
710 (+418) 66956 – Slope Curved 2 x 2 with Stud Notches I’m a bit surprised this part was made in the first part, since both the left and right sides exist as separate parts. Nonetheless, it’s rocketing up the charts!
714 (+264) 65803 – Brick Special 16 x 16 x 1 1/3 with Pinholes This sturdy part continues to be propelled to fame by the LEGO Art sets, including the massive #31203 World Map set.
749 (+516) 42918 – Slope Curved 8 x 2 No Studs This three year old part was used in 7 sets this year, with 24 parts in #10289 Bird of Paradise alone.
917 (+384) 40066 – Panel 1 x 6 x 7 with 2 Columns and Arch While of limited appeal to most AFOL’s, this three year old part is being widely used in both 2021 Friends and Harry Potter sets.

Be sure to take a look at the complete list to discover some relatively common parts that you might not be familiar with!

P.S. I am also using the updated list to make sure that LEGO Brick Labels continues to include labels for all of the most common current parts… The new version is coming soon!

 2021 Most Common LEGO Parts  

Update to Most Common LEGO Parts

At least once year, I update the Most Common LEGO Parts to see which parts are gaining (and losing) popularity over time. Today’s snapshot is based on all of the sets from 2016-2020 which have been released and inventoried so far…

10 parts that caught my attention

Rank Image Part ID Part Name (# Colors) Notes
1 (+2) 4073 1×1 Plate, Round
(47 colors)
This part has risen to the top spot for the first time that I’ve seen. (I suspect that the new LEGO Art sets pushed it to the top position.)
5 (+10) 98138 1×1 Tile, Round
(49 colors)
A huge jump of 10 positions, also likely caused by LEGO Art series.
36 (+50) 25269 Tile Round 1 x 1 Quarter
(34 colors)
This jump in popularity is certainly caused by the new LEGO Dots series.
111 (+77) 35480 Plate Special 1 x 2 Rounded with 2 Open Studs
(15 colors)
This one is easy to explain—it’s a tremendously useful part!
200 (+112) 32607 Plant, Plate 1 x 1 Round with 3 Leaves
(8 colors)
This 2018 piece has already been used in 178 different sets!
215 (+136) 36840 Bracket 1 x 1 – 1 x 1 Inverted
(9 colors)
The smallest SNOT piece ever created is popular for a good reason.
224 (+363) 49307 Brick Curved 1 x 1 x 2/3 Double Curved Top, No Studs
(12 colors)
This tiny part is incredibly versatile, with 63 sets since it was introduced last year.
362 (+172) 37352 Brick Curved 1 x 2 x 1 No Studs
(16 colors)
Another 2018 piece with explosive popularity growth.
413 (+266) 41682 Tile Special 2 x 2 with 1 x 2 Vertical Plate
(10 colors)
SNOT Elements are often quick to grow in the rankings, like this part which was introduced in 2019 in #10264 Corner Garage.
542 (+806) 37762 Equipment Candle Stick
(4 colors)
This 2018 part’s versatility was revealed in two sets we’ve reviewed at Brick Architect which included 28 pieces each: #21052 Dubai Skyline and #10270 Bookshop.

P.S. I also use the updated list to make sure that LEGO Brick Labels collection continues to include labels for all of the most common current parts!

 600 Most Common LEGO Parts