A key snaps because the metal fatigued, the lock was stiff, or the door was pulled while the key was turned. The piece left inside is usually sitting in the first part of the keyway, and if it's proud of the lock face even a little, you can often get it out yourself.
Two things that make it worse
- Don't put the other half of the key back in to try to push or turn it. That drives the broken piece deeper and can jam the pins.
- Don't use glue on the key end. It's a common internet tip and it mostly ends with glue in the lock, which turns a quick job into a cylinder replacement.
Two things that usually work
- Needle-nose pliers or tweezers — if any of the key is showing, grab it and pull straight out. Make sure the lock is in its neutral position first; if the cylinder is turned, the key won't come out.
- A thin hook — a jeweler's saw blade, a bent bobby pin, or a broken-key extractor from a hardware store. Slide it along the flat side of the keyway above the key, hook a tooth of the key, and pull. A drop of dry lubricant helps. Work slowly.
When to call a locksmith
If the piece is fully inside the cylinder, if the lock was already stiff, or if it's a high-security or smart lock, stop before you damage the pins. A locksmith carries proper extractors and can usually have the key out in minutes without harming the lock. If the cylinder is worn — which is often why the key stuck in the first place — they can rekey or replace it on the spot.
What it usually costs
A straightforward key extraction is one of the smaller locksmith jobs. If the cylinder needs rekeying or replacing, that's more, and a smart or high-security lock is more again. Time of day matters too — a middle-of-the-night call costs more than a weekday afternoon. The locksmith confirms the price before starting work.
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Common questions
- How do I get a broken key out of a lock?
- If any of the key is showing, pull it straight out with needle-nose pliers. If not, slide a thin hook or a broken-key extractor along the keyway above the key, catch a tooth, and pull. Don't insert the other half of the key or use glue.
- Can a locksmith get a broken key out without replacing the lock?
- Usually, yes. Locksmiths carry extractors designed for this and can typically remove the piece without damaging the cylinder. If the lock was worn or stiff, they can rekey or replace it in the same visit.
- Why did my key break in the lock?
- Metal fatigue from years of use, a stiff or dirty lock that needed too much force, or turning the key while pulling on the door. A key that bends or a lock that resists is a sign to fix the lock before the key fails.