Can a Locksmith Make a Key from a Lock?
When You Have the Lock but Not the Key
It happens more often than you would think. You move into a property and find a locked cupboard with no key. You inherit furniture with a locked drawer. A filing cabinet key goes missing. Or - most commonly - you lose your only door key and wonder whether the lock needs to be replaced entirely or whether a new key can be made to fit the existing lock.
The good news: in many cases, a skilled locksmith can create a working key directly from the lock, without needing the original key as a template.
How It Works
There are several techniques a locksmith can use to produce a key from a lock. The method depends on the lock type, the locksmith’s equipment, and whether the lock can be removed from the door.
Decoding the Lock
Every pin-tumbler lock (the most common type in residential doors) contains a series of pins of varying heights. The correct key pushes each pin to exactly the right height, allowing the cylinder to rotate. A locksmith can “decode” these pin heights using specialist tools and then cut a key to match.
For euro cylinders, this involves reading the positions of each pin using a decoder tool - a thin instrument inserted into the keyway that measures each pin stack individually. The readings are translated into a key code, and a key is cut to that code on a key-cutting machine.
For mortice locks, the process is different. Five-lever mortice locks have a series of flat levers rather than pins. Decoding these requires a lever gauge or similar tool to determine the height of each lever, after which a key blank is filed or cut to match.
Lock Impressioning
Impressioning is an older technique that requires considerable skill. The locksmith inserts a blank key into the lock and applies gentle rotational pressure while moving the key in and out. The pins or levers leave tiny marks on the blank at the points where they bind. The locksmith examines these marks under magnification, files the blank at each marked point, re-inserts it, and repeats the process until the blank operates the lock.
This method does not require removing the lock from the door and leaves the lock undamaged. It is slower than decoding but useful in situations where electronic decoding tools are not suitable for the lock type.
Disassembling the Lock
If the lock can be removed from the door (or from the piece of furniture it is fitted to), the locksmith can take it apart and directly measure each pin or lever. This is the most straightforward method and produces the most accurate result, but it requires removing the lock - which is not always practical if the door is locked and you cannot get in.
Key Code Lookup
Some locks have a code stamped on the lock body, the faceplate, or the original key card (a small card supplied with the lock when it was new). If this code is available, the locksmith can look up the correct key cuts in a database and produce a key without needing to touch the lock mechanism at all.
Yale, Chubb, ERA, and most major UK lock manufacturers maintain key code databases that authorised locksmiths can access.
Which Types of Lock Can Have a Key Made?
| Lock Type | Can a Key Be Made? | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Euro cylinder (uPVC/composite doors) | Yes | Decoding or disassembly |
| 5-lever mortice deadlock | Yes | Lever gauging, impressioning, or disassembly |
| Yale nightlatch (rim cylinder) | Yes | Decoding or code lookup |
| Padlock (pin tumbler) | Usually yes | Decoding or disassembly (if removable) |
| Dimple key lock | Yes, but specialist | Requires specific decoding tools |
| High-security restricted cylinder | Depends | Some manufacturers require ID verification and supply keys through authorised dealers only |
| Car lock / ignition | Yes, but specialist | Auto locksmith tools and programming equipment required |
| Combination lock | No | No key to create |
| Keypad / fully electronic lock (no cylinder) | No | Access is restored via the manufacturer’s app or a reset procedure |
| Hybrid smart lock (with physical cylinder) | Yes | The physical cylinder can be decoded like a standard euro cylinder |
For car keys specifically, the process is more complex because modern vehicle keys contain transponder chips that must be programmed to the car’s immobiliser. See our guide on can locksmiths program car keys for details. Our auto locksmith service covers all major vehicle makes.
When Replacement Is Better Than Key-Making
Creating a key from a lock is not always the best option. In some cases, replacing the lock entirely makes more sense:
- The lock is old or worn - if the internal mechanism is worn, a new key may not operate it reliably. A new lock with fresh keys is a better investment.
- The lock does not meet current standards - if the lock predates BS3621 or TS007 anti-snap specifications, this is an opportunity to upgrade rather than simply fitting a new key to an outdated lock. For more on standards, see our guide to BS3621 and insurance requirements.
- Security has been compromised - if you lost your keys rather than simply misplacing them, someone else may have them. A new key to the same lock does not solve the problem - you need a new lock (or at least a rekey). See our article on whether to rekey or replace.
- The lock is restricted - some high-security cylinders (Ultion, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy) use patented key profiles that cannot be cut without an authorisation card. If you have lost the card, replacement is often the only practical route.
What Does It Cost?
The cost of making a key from a lock depends on the method used and the lock type:
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Euro cylinder decoded and key cut | From £40 |
| Mortice lock impressioned or decoded | From £55 |
| Lock removed, disassembled, and key made | From £65 |
| Car key programming | From £85 |
| Car key duplication (cut and programmed) | From £109 |
These are guide prices. The actual cost may vary depending on the lock brand, complexity, and whether the locksmith needs to gain entry to the property first. For full pricing, see our locksmith price list.
What to Tell the Locksmith When You Call
To help the locksmith prepare the right tools and give you an accurate quote, mention:
- What type of lock it is (euro cylinder, mortice, Yale nightlatch, padlock, car lock)
- Whether you can access the lock (is the door open or closed?)
- Whether you have a key code or key card
- Whether you need one key or several copies
- The lock brand if you know it (look for markings on the key, lock face, or handle)
City Locksmith London: Keys Made on Site
Our locksmiths carry portable key-cutting equipment and can create keys from locks on site across London. Whether it is a euro cylinder, a five-lever mortice, or a Yale nightlatch, we can decode the lock and cut a working key in a single visit. Get in touch.