MakeBead

Free LEGO Mosaic Maker — Build Art from Any Photo

Create stunning LEGO mosaics from any photo. MakeBead is a free LEGO mosaic maker, generator, creator, and builder rolled into one — it maps each pixel to real LEGO brick colors and generates a step-by-step build guide with an exact parts list. Use it as a LEGO photo mosaic tool for portraits, custom wall art, gifts, or LEGO Art-style projects — plan your build online before buying a single brick.

CONVERTER DESIGNER

Drop image or click to upload

JPEG, PNG, or WebP

32 × 32 studs · 1×1 baseplate

Templates

Click a template to load it into the tool above

How It Works

1

Upload Your Photo

Drag and drop or click to upload a JPEG, PNG, or WebP image.

2

Choose Baseplate Size

Select 1, 2, or 3 baseplates wide. Larger mosaics show more detail.

3

Adjust Color Count

Use the slider to limit how many different LEGO brick colors are used.

4

Export Build Guide

Download a PDF with color-coded grid and exact parts list for ordering bricks.

Features

Real LEGO Brick Colors

Every pixel is matched to actual LEGO brick colors available in current production, ensuring you can source every piece.

Step-by-Step Build Guide

Follow the baseplate-by-baseplate guide to assemble your mosaic. Grid lines and color codes make placement easy.

Exact Parts List

Get the precise count of each brick color needed. No guessing — order exactly what you need from BrickLink or LEGO Pick a Brick.

Multiple Baseplate Sizes

Choose from 1-baseplate to 3-baseplate builds. Larger mosaics capture more detail from your source photo.

Printable PDF

Download a print-ready PDF with color-coded grid pages and a parts summary to reference while building.

Free to Use

Create unlimited LEGO mosaic patterns. No account, no payment, no limits on exports.

What Is a LEGO Mosaic?

A LEGO mosaic is a flat image built from small LEGO bricks or plates, where each brick represents one pixel. LEGO officially sells mosaic sets (LEGO Art series), but with a mosaic maker tool, you can turn any photo into a custom LEGO build.

LEGO mosaics make excellent wall art, personalized gifts, and display pieces. Popular subjects include portraits, pet photos, album covers, and famous artworks. The pixelated aesthetic gives any image a unique, tactile quality.

A LEGO mosaic maker like MakeBead removes the hardest part — color planning. Instead of manually comparing hundreds of LEGO colors to your image, the tool automatically finds the closest match for each pixel and generates a complete shopping list.

More Pattern Tools

MakeBead works for more than just Perler beads. Try our other free pattern makers:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn a photo into a LEGO mosaic?

Upload your photo to MakeBead, choose the baseplate size, and adjust the color limit. The tool generates a brick-by-brick pattern with a parts list you can use to order from BrickLink or LEGO.com.

How many LEGO bricks do I need?

It depends on the size. A 1-baseplate (29×29) mosaic needs about 841 1×1 bricks. A 2-baseplate (58×58) needs about 3,364. The parts list gives you exact counts by color.

Where do I buy LEGO bricks for a mosaic?

BrickLink.com is the best source for bulk 1×1 bricks in specific colors. LEGO Pick a Brick and LEGO Art replacement parts are also options.

What LEGO colors are available?

MakeBead uses the current LEGO production color palette. The tool automatically limits your image to available colors.

Can I make a LEGO mosaic of my pet?

Yes! Pet portraits are one of the most popular LEGO mosaic subjects. Upload a clear, well-lit photo for best results. Limit to 15-25 colors for a recognizable result.

How big should a LEGO mosaic be?

For portraits, at least 2 baseplates (58×58) is recommended. For simpler images like logos, 1 baseplate (29×29) works well. Larger builds require more bricks and budget.

Is this like LEGO Art sets?

Similar concept, but you choose your own image instead of being limited to pre-designed sets. You also have full control over size and color count.

Can I turn a photo into a LEGO portrait?

Yes — portrait photos are one of the most popular uses. Upload a clear, front-facing photo and use 2-3 baseplates for enough detail. The tool handles the color matching automatically.

Is this LEGO mosaic maker free?

Yes, completely free. No sign-up, no payment. Export as many mosaic patterns as you want.

Is this an online LEGO mosaic maker or do I need an app?

MakeBead is an online LEGO mosaic maker — it runs in any browser, including mobile. There is no app to download and no account to create. Add it to your home screen on iPhone or Android for an app-like shortcut.

Is this a LEGO mosaic generator or a brick mosaic builder?

It is both — LEGO mosaic maker, generator, creator, and builder all describe the same kind of tool, and MakeBead works as all of them. Drop a photo in, choose baseplate count, and the brick-by-brick build guide is generated automatically.

Can I make a custom or personalized LEGO mosaic portrait?

Yes — custom and personalized portraits are the most popular use of MakeBead's LEGO mosaic maker. Upload a clear, front-lit photo, use 2–3 baseplates for enough detail, and limit colors to 15–25 for cleaner skin tones. Order the parts from BrickLink using the included shopping list.

Send us feedback

Found a bug, missing a feature, or just want to say hi? We read every message.

Or email directly: contact@makebead.com