A practical step-by-step process for turning a mystery box of LEGO into identified parts, price estimates, and set completion reports — using the free tools on BrickID.
Spread parts on a plain surface with good light. Bulk-lot photos are hard for any matcher — isolate interesting pieces before you scan. Our guide on photo identification covers lighting and framing tips.
Photo ID guide →Use the scanner for unknown shapes — printed tiles, hinges, technic panels, and minifig parts usually match well. Switch to search when you can read molded numbers or when confidence is low.
Open scanner →Build a running list of what you found. The valuator sums collector price reports and any imported data where available, and flags lines that still need manual research.
Lot valuator →On each part page, see which official sets include that element. A rare print appearing in only one retired set is a strong signal — and our rarity badge shows how widely a part appears across the catalog.
Browse parts →Think you have most of a set? Load its inventory, mark what you own, and switch to the missing-parts view. Export a CSV shopping list for BrickLink or your local pick-a-brick run.
Set completion checker →Deciding which retired set to break for parts? Compare two inventories side by side to see overlap percentages and unique elements — useful for MOC builders and resellers.
Compare sets →