What is this part called?

Snap a photo of the piece and Fixology tells you what it's called and how to find a replacement.

Free. No account, no phone number.

Many small household parts have a trade name you won't guess from the shape. The right name is what gets you the right part in a search or at the hardware store.

Kitchen

Dishwasher rack wheels and clips
The small plastic wheels the rack rolls on, and the clips that hold the rack parts in place. Usually sold as rack wheels (or rollers) and rack clips.
Garbage disposal splash guard
The flexible rubber collar in the sink drain opening. Usually called a splash guard or a baffle.
Refrigerator shelf supports
The small plastic pieces that hold a shelf at the side of the fridge. Usually called shelf supports, brackets or clips.

Bathroom

Toilet flapper and fill valve
The flapper is the rubber flap at the bottom of the tank. The fill valve is the tall part that refills the tank (older ones are called ballcocks).
Faucet aerator
The small screen screwed onto the tip of the spout that mixes air into the water. It is called an aerator.
Drain stopper
The plug that closes a sink or tub drain. Many are part of a pop-up assembly, so the name to search is often pop-up stopper.

Around the house

Furnace filter sizes
The size is printed on the edge of the old filter, such as 16x25x1. Search for that size. Nominal sizes can differ slightly from the true measurements.
Door hinge pins
The metal rod that runs through the hinge and lets the door swing. It is called a hinge pin.
Window sash locks
The latch where the two halves of a double-hung window meet. It is called a sash lock (or sash latch).

Quick checks

Before you take any piece off, unplug the appliance or turn off its power at the breaker, and shut off the water if it is a plumbing part. Don't force a piece that won't come loose, and wear gloves around cracked plastic or sharp edges.

Look at the piece for a stamped number, letters or a brand mark. A part number is the fastest search.
Find the model number of the appliance or fixture it came from, usually on a label inside the door, on the back, or under the lid. Search the model number plus a short description of the piece.
Take the photo in good light, from the side as well as the front, with a coin or ruler beside the piece so its size shows.
Measure the piece and note how it attaches (snaps, screws, threads or slides). Size and fit are what separate parts that look alike.
Keep the broken piece. If a search doesn't settle it, it can be matched in person at a hardware store or appliance parts shop.

Sharpen the read

Find out what it's called, for free

No account, no phone number. Fixology’s AI reads your photo and tells you what’s likely wrong, how worried to be, and whether it’s a DIY fix.

Snap one of these:

the piece itself, close up in good light, with a coin or ruler beside it
any numbers or letters stamped or printed on the piece
where it sits on the appliance or fixture, and the model label if you can find one

Next you’ll add a photo, plus a note if you like. No account, no phone number.

When to call a pro

Naming a part is something you can do yourself. Call a pro if the piece is part of a gas line, the electrical wiring or the main water line, or if it won't come off without force.

Typical cost: Finding out what a part is called costs nothing. What a replacement costs depends on the part and the appliance, so get the name first and then check the price for that exact part. A pro is only needed if the repair itself is beyond DIY.

After a scan, Fixology can also help you find pros near you.