How do I get all my door locks to be keyed the same?

Author: Hugh Erdman  |  Last update: Sunday, June 15, 2025

You can head to your local hardware store and buy all key 'keyed alike' locks where all you need is one key and you can open each lock you buy.

How to change all locks to the same key?

You'll need to use a key decoder or take the existing key to a locksmith to determine the correct pin sizes. This process allows you to have one key that opens multiple locks, which can be convenient for homeowners.

How to make all door knobs use the same key?

When you want EVERY lock in the house to work from the same key, Rekeying the lock is the answer. You can rekey locks to match existing keys when the locks have the same keyway. To test if they are the same keyway, take the key you want to use, and see if it slides into the keyhole of the new lock.

Can a locksmith make all locks the same?

A locksmith can also make sure all locks are keyed to the same key if that is what you choose, an option not always available when buying locks off the shelf and installing “as is”.

Is there a universal key for all locks?

In a Master Keyed system, a master key opens all the locks in the system although each lock also has its own unique key. This permits organizing master key systems along departmental or other functional lines to allow supervisory or emergency access.

Kwikset SMARTKEY Feature Door Lock (How to use the same key to unlock all your doors!)

How do you get all door locks keyed the same?

Purchase new locks

While this may not always be someone's first option, it is the easiest solution. You can head to your local hardware store and buy all key 'keyed alike' locks where all you need is one key and you can open each lock you buy.

Do universal keys work?

There is no such thing as a universal key that can open any door lock, whether your house or your car.

Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?

Due to the extremely low price of the key pins in the locks, rekeying is almost always much cheaper than getting your locks changed. When rekeying your locks, you are only being charged for the labor, whereas when you get your locks changed, you're paying both for labor and parts.

Will Ace Hardware rekey locks?

We rekey Kwikset and Schlage locks at a fraction of the price of having to replace your locksets. We can also create a 'master key' for superintendents or landlords that need access to multiple units without carrying a hundred keys. We also key Masterlock padlocks to an existing Masterlock key.

Can all locks be keyed alike?

Can I have every lock in my home Keyed Alike? As long every lock in your home is the same type then yes. If your locks are different, they will have to be changed in order to use the same keys for all of them.

How to get Schlage locks keyed alike?

The easiest would be to have a locksmith come out with 4 'Keyed alike' Schlage cores and simply install new cores into your existing locksets. The more DIY friendly version would be to purchase new keyed alike sets at Home Depot and swap out the lock cores yourself, if you feel comfortable doing that.

Should all door knobs in a house match?

In general, selecting handles that remain consistent with each other and the overall style of the house will avoid creating an awkward interior design.

Can Baldwin and Kwikset be keyed alike?

A: Yes. Baldwn and Kwikset are both owned by Black and Decker and they share the SmartKey technology. This kit will work to rekey a Baldwin lockset with SmartKey.

Is rekeying a lock safe?

Rekeying your door lock is safe. This method requires new pins in the lock, replacing the old pins for a new, unique combination.

What is the cheapest way to change locks on a house?

Rekeying is the least expensive method, but you will need to replace the entire lock if the only key to it goes missing.

How long does it take to rekey a lock?

A rekey service can take between 10 and 40 minutes per lock. Rekeying only applied to keyed security locks, and not to privacy locks found on bathroom and bedroom doorknobs. New lock installation or replacement can take 30-60 minutes per lock, which is one reason that lock replacement is more expensive.

How do I get my locks keyed the same?

Rekey kits allow you to rekey a lock to match existing keys in the kit. You will receive several keys (often between three and six keys), all identically cut. A set of pins comes with the kit, numbered or color-coded to identify their positions in the plug. The new keys correspond to the new pins.

Does Home Depot rekey locks?

Most Home Depot's have an associate on staff that can rekey door locks. Call your local Home Depot and make sure that the person that does the rekeying service is there before you arrive. Also there may be a charge for this service.

Does Lowes rekey locks?

Lowes won't rekey an old lock you carry in, you have to buy it right there. ... unless you get an employee in a good mood that feels like helping. They use the 5 digit code on your key to know what pins to put in the lock.

Can you rekey your own home?

If you know the brand or keyhole style of your locks, you may be able to buy a lock rekeying kit from your local home hardware store. But while you might have the tools to change locks, rekeying them can require special—and expensive—tools. You can buy them as a kit, then follow the instructions.

How much should a locksmith charge to change a lock?

Changing a Yale lock typically costs around £100 during normal business hours. If it's an emergency, most locksmiths will charge a call-out fee ranging from £50 to £150. These figures represent typical costs, but the actual cost of your lock replacement project may vary based on several crucial factors.

How to get a door lock rekeyed?

How to Rekey a Lock
  1. Purchase a Rekeying Kit. To rekey locks, you need to purchase a rekeying kit that is specific to your brand of door knob or deadbolt. ...
  2. Remove the Door Knob. ...
  3. Remove the Cylinder Lock. ...
  4. Remove the Clip Ring. ...
  5. Remove the Key Plug. ...
  6. Remove the Old Pins. ...
  7. Insert the New Pins. ...
  8. Reinsert the Plug.

What is the master key in a hotel?

Master keys can open multiple doors especially, room doors that are not double-locked. These keys are usually carried by high-ranking staff members like the General Manager (GM) and Executive Housekeeper (EHK). Master keys are categorized into four levels of access, depending on the areas they can unlock.

Do magnetic key holders work?

Using a key holder with strong magnets will make it easier to find your keys. You can rely on having your keys in the same spot every time you get home. The goal of this is to make it a habit to leave your keys on the key box magnets. Once this becomes a habit, you don't have to worry about misplacing your keys.

What is the grand master key?

The grand master key refers to the top-level key, above even other master keys used in the system. While there may be lower branches of a master key which open an entire subset of locks, the grand master key can open all of the locks which lower master keys can open too.

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