How to Identify a LEGO® Minifigure Head: Design Numbers, Element IDs and Mould Variations
LEGO® minifigure heads often look similar at first glance, but small differences in the facial print, colour, mould, or reverse expression can identify a completely different part. This guide explains how to identify a head accurately using visible features together with LEGO® Design Numbers, Element IDs, and product images.
If you already have a loose head, begin by comparing what you can see before looking at any numbers. Once you have narrowed the possibilities, you can confirm the match using the identifiers shown on each Choose-a-Brick product page.
Step 1: Start with the Visible Features
Begin with the characteristics that are easiest to recognise.
- Base colour
- Facial expression
- Eye colour and eye style
- Eyebrows
- Facial hair
- Glasses or eyewear
- Scars, freckles or facial markings
- Mouth shape and visible teeth
- Head mould type
- Whether the head is printed on one or both sides
Our LEGO® Heads collection allows you to filter by these visible characteristics, making it much easier to narrow hundreds of heads down to a small number of possible matches.
Step 2: Check for a Second Face
Many modern LEGO® minifigure heads are dual-sided. Before identifying a head, rotate it and check whether a second expression is printed on the reverse.
The reverse face is often the easiest way to distinguish between two otherwise similar heads.
Step 3: Understand the Different Numbers
Several numbering systems are associated with LEGO® parts. Understanding the difference makes identification much easier.
Catalogue Number (MPN)
The MPN shown on our product pages follows the standard mould-number-plus-print-suffix format used across the LEGO® parts community — for example, 3626pb1539 for a printed head on the 3626 mould. This reflects the part's mould and printed design rather than LEGO's own internal Design ID for the decorated element.
The number moulded inside a head is normally the number of the base mould rather than the specific printed design.
Internally, LEGO also assigns its own Design ID to a printed part, separate from the base mould number. This internal ID is typically not published, not moulded onto the part, and is not used within the hobbyist and reseller community, it is mainly used on the lego.com site. Instead, catalogues such as BrickLink and Rebrickable use the base mould number combined with a print suffix to identify a specific printed design — BrickLink uses "pb" (for example, 3626pb1539), while Rebrickable uses "pr" (for example, 3626pr1539) for the same style of reference, though the exact sequence numbers used by each catalogue aren't guaranteed to match. Choose-a-Brick's MPN field follows BrickLink's "pb" convention, which is what most builders, collectors, and resellers in the community use in practice.
Element ID
The Element ID is the number LEGO® uses to identify an exact element within set inventories and its parts systems. It refers to the element in its recorded colour and, where applicable, with its specific print or decoration.
An Element ID is generally stable, but the same visibly identical element can sometimes be associated with more than one Element ID over time, such as when it is retired and later reintroduced or when LEGO® updates its inventory records. For that reason, compare the Element ID with the catalogue number, colour, facial print, reverse expression, and product images rather than using it on its own.
Catalogue References
BrickLink, Brick Owl, Rebrickable and other catalogues each maintain their own reference systems. These often map to LEGO® Design Numbers and Element IDs but should not be treated as identical numbering systems.
Why the 3626 Head Mould Has Several Stud Variants
LEGO® minifigure heads have used several internal stud constructions over time. The outside dimensions and printed face may appear identical, while the opening and supports inside the top stud differ.
The open constructions can provide an airflow path through the head if the element becomes lodged in an airway. This feature does not make a minifigure head safe to swallow; it remains a small part and must be kept away from children under three years old.
The stud construction is normally hidden once hair, headgear, or another element is attached. It does not change the visible facial print, but it can help distinguish the physical mould variant when identifying or cataloguing a head.
Third-party catalogues may group these closely related constructions within the broader 3626 part family rather than maintaining every stud variation as a separate primary listing. This changes how the variants are organised in a catalogue; it does not alter the physical heads themselves. Choose-a-Brick does not separate heads solely by minor internal mould variations such as solid, hollow, blocked open, or vented stud construction. Where the visible colour and printed design are the same, these closely related mould versions may be grouped under the same product listing.
For an exact identification, compare the stud construction together with the Design Number, Element ID, base colour, facial print, reverse expression, and product images.
Using Choose-a-Brick to Identify a Head
Choose-a-Brick's search and filtering tools are built around visible features rather than catalogue numbers, since most people trying to identify a head don't start with an ID in hand. Use the filters to narrow the collection by expression, colour, facial hair, and other visual characteristics first.
Once you have narrowed the possibilities, most product pages also display the Design Number (MPN) and Element ID where available, alongside detailed photographs. Compare these identifiers, together with the images, against the head you have to confirm the exact match.
Useful filters include:
- Expression
- Eye colour
- Facial hair
- Glasses
- Facial markings
- Species
- Age appearance
- Head mould type
- Print coverage
Common Reasons Two Heads Look Almost Identical
Two heads may appear almost the same while still being different catalogue entries.
Differences can include:
- different eyebrow shapes
- eye highlights
- mouth shape
- reverse expression
- facial hair colour
- facial markings
- print coverage
- base colour
Even small print differences can result in separate catalogue entries.
Can You Identify a Genuine LEGO® Head by Sight?
Visual inspection can help, but no single feature proves authenticity on its own. Compare the mould, plastic finish, colours, print quality, and overall appearance with trusted reference images. Worn genuine parts can sometimes look less crisp than well-made reproductions, so always consider several characteristics together rather than relying on one detail.
Genuine standard LEGO® minifigure heads have moulded LEGO® and copyright markings inside the head. Checking these markings is an important identification step, but markings alone should not be treated as conclusive proof because reproductions may imitate them. Compare the internal markings alongside the mould shape, plastic finish, print quality, colours, and trusted reference images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I identify a head without knowing the original set?
Yes. Visible features are usually enough to narrow the possibilities before confirming the Design Number and Element ID.
Can two LEGO® minifigure heads have the same catalogue number?
Yes. Heads with the same printed design may share the same catalogue reference while being available in different base colours. The LEGO® Element ID distinguishes the exact element recorded in a particular colour and decoration. Compare the catalogue number, Element ID, colour, and product images when confirming an exact match.
Why do some heads have different Element IDs?
Element IDs identify individual LEGO® elements supplied by LEGO®. Different colours, decorations or inventory updates may result in different Element IDs.
Where can I find replacement LEGO® heads?
Browse our LEGO® Minifigure Heads collection, where you can filter by expression, colour, facial features, species and many other visible characteristics.
Learn More
Interested in the history of LEGO® heads? Read The Face of LEGO®: A Deep Dive into Minifigure Heads.
Looking for famous designs? Explore The 10 Most Iconic LEGO® Minifigure Heads.