This article was co-authored by Shawn Fago and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Shawn Fago is a Master Locksmith and the Founder of Noble Locksmith, a nationwide locksmith company based in San Diego, California. With over seven years of experience, he provides commercial, residential, and automotive locksmith services to customers. Shawn attended California State University, Fullerton.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Having a spare key is essential if you ever lose your keys. There are many options for making a copy of a key. If you're in a pinch, you can make one at home with common materials, but if you have time, visit a professional service so you never get locked out again!
Steps
Making an Emergency Key at Home
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1Hold the teeth on one side of the key over an open flame until they are charred. Use a lighter or a lit candle. Move the teeth of the key back and forth over the flame. It should take around 1 or 2 minutes to blacken one side of the key. Once the key is charred on one side, set it down until it is cool to the touch.[1]
- Use a pair of pliers to hold the key so you don’t burn your fingers.
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2Stick a piece of clear tape on the blackened side of the key. Cut a piece of clear tape the same length as the key. Standard sized clear tape should work for most house keys. Carefully lay it on top of the key so it doesn’t crease. Press the tape firmly onto the blackened side of the key so the char transfers.[2]
- The outline of the key will transfer to the sticky side of the tape.
- Leave a fingertip-sized bit of tape at the end of the key so it’s easier to remove.
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4Place the tape on an expired credit card or plastic gift card. A standard thickness card will work best. Stick the tape so the entire imprint of the key is on the card. Make sure the tape lays flat so the shape of the teeth is not distorted.[5]
- Be sure to place the tape away from any raised letters or numbers on the card otherwise it will be too thick to fit in the lock.
- Use a light-colored card so you can easily see the imprint of the key.
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5Cut out the shape of the key with a pair of scissors. Carefully maneuver around the outline of the key. Be mindful around the teeth, being sure to cut directly on the outline. If the teeth are not close to the correct size, they will not be able to turn the lock.[6]
- It doesn’t matter how the large end of the key is shaped. As long as the teeth are cut correctly, the key should work.
- Hold the original key up to the one you’re cutting out to compare the teeth.
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6Turn the makeshift key slowly in the lock. Insert the key delicately into the lock so it doesn’t bend or deform. Once it’s fully inserted, hold the key as close to the lock as you can and turn it. It should unlock easily.[7]
- Don’t force the key to turn or else it may bend or break.
Getting a Replacement Made
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1Visit a locksmith. A locksmith will be able to make an exact replica of your key with special tools and machines. Locksmiths will also be able to work with keys that cannot be copied at other locations.
- Some locksmiths may be able to make copies of a key just from a picture of the original.
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2Go to a dealership to get a copy of a car key. Many car keys have transponder chips in them so duplicates cannot be cut normally. Find a dealership with your model of car and ask about their replacement key services.
- Older vehicles may just need a copy of the key without a chip. Ask the dealership what is required for your specific make and model.
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3Take your key to a hardware store if there's one close to you for convenience. Many hardware stores or big box stores offer a key-cutting service that only takes a few minutes to complete. Pick a blank replacement key in the design you want and ask the workers to make a copy.
- Make sure the key design you choose matches the thickness of the original key, or else it will not fit in the lock.
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4Stop by a key-cutting kiosk for a quick experience. KeyMe is a service that places kiosks in various locations that can make a copy of a key. Common keys can be cut right at the kiosk while car keys or other specialty keys will be sent to you by mail.[8]
- Use the code cut of your key for a replacement, the keys produced from codes would be factory cuts on the new key, not a duplicate.
- Find a KeyMe location on their website: https://www.key.me/
- Scan the key into the phone app for ordering a spare key at home.
Warnings
- Do not make copies of keys that say “Do Not Duplicate” on them.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- If you live in an apartment, ask your landlord before making a copy of a key. They may not allow it.⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You’ll Need
- Key
- Expired credit card or gift card
- Lighter or candle
- Clear tape
- Scissors
- Pliers (optional)
References
About This Article
You can have a copy of your key made by visiting a hardware store, car dealership, or key kiosk. Take your key with you to a hardware store and choose a blank replacement that matches the thickness of your original key. Ask the workers to make a copy for you, which takes a few minutes to complete. If you have a car key with a transponder chip, you’ll need to go to your car’s dealership. You can also use a key-cutting kiosk to make a copy of common keys. Take your key to one of them and follow the onscreen directions to have a copy made. For tips about how to save a scan of your key so you can order a copy whenever you need one, keep reading!
