How to Get a Broken Key Out of a Lock (With Tools You Already Have)

When you’re in a rush (or even if you’re not), there’s nothing more frustrating than when your key won’t turn in your lock. Then to make the situation even worse, your key breaks in the lock and you’re stuck wondering what to do. 

In this article, we’ll cover a few tricks for removing a broken key from a lock on your own and who to call if it simply won’t come out.

Why Would My Key Break In The First Place?

Most keys are made out of semi-hard metals, like brass or nickel, that wear out over time. Once you start noticing that your key is sticking in the lock or the edges are becoming dull, it’s time to get a new key made before it’s too late. 

But the type of door lock you have could also be the culprit. The lock mechanisms may be failing, or the keyway may need lubrication. Or, if the lock was installed incorrectly in the first place, you may have to use too much force to turn the key—causing the key to break down faster. 

How to Lubricate The Lock

Lubricating your keyway is one of the best ways to prolong the lifetime of your keys and locks. Once you notice your key starting to stick or your lock not turning as effortlessly as it should (or if your key is already stuck in the keyway), grab a can of Teflon-based dry lubricant and follow these steps:

1. Stick the straw into the keyway

2. Spray a decent amount of lubricant into the hole

3. Insert your key

4. Turn it a few times. This ensures the entire lock mechanism is coated in the lubricant

5. Remove your key and wipe off any residue

Once the keyway is dry, it’s ready to use.

Note: While you may be tempted to use regular WD-40, most locksmiths recommend the dry lubricant to avoid dust and dirt build-up that comes with regular WD-40. You can find a dry version of this product that can work for your needs, though.

How to Get a Broken Key Out of a Lock

Before you call a locksmith, try these ways to get a broken key out of a lock. We recommend lubricating your lock before attempting any of these methods to help your key unstick more easily.

Needle Nose Pliers or Tweezers

1. Grab the end of the key that’s protruding from the lock

2. Apply firm pressure to ensure a tight grip

3. Rotate the key until it’s vertical

4. Gently wiggle the key out of the lock

Paperclips or Hair Pins

1. Straighten the paperclip or bobby pin

2. Insert into the lock alongside the broken key

3. Wiggle the pin around and attempt to hook it onto the key

4. Once you feel it latch, pull the paperclip out slowly

5. If the key doesn’t come out with the clip, try again

Key Extractor

1. Ensure lock is either completely vertical or horizontal

2. Slide the key extractor into the keyway with the hook facing upward

3. Pull the tool straight out

4. Repeat until the key is removed

Jigsaw

1. Cut a jigsaw blade horizontally so it fits into the keyway (do not cut off the serrated ends)

2. Cover the broken edge with duct tape to ensure you don’t get cut

3. Insert broken blade into the keyway

4. Twist slightly to gain leverage

5. Pull the jigsaw out of the keyway

6. Repeat until the key is removed

Hot Glue Stick

1. Hold one end of a hot glue stick to a flame

2. Press the melted end to the broken key

3. Wait two minutes until the glue hardens

4. Slowly pull the glue stick out

Taking Care of Your Locks

The best way to ensure your key doesn’t break in a lock is to take care of the lock regularly. While a door lock may fall pretty far down on your homeowner’s maintenance to-do list, it’s still something to look after—especially if you notice it’s getting harder to turn your key or lock your deadbolt. 

Here are a few ways to look after your door locks:

• Lubricate the lock regularly.

• Ensure the door isn’t sagging and put undue pressure on the lock mechanism.

• Don’t force a key to turn. Instead, try lubricating the lock or adjusting the mechanism to ensure a seamless entry and exit.

• Replace your keys once they start to wear out. Damaged or worn-out keys can put pressure on the wrong parts of your lock system, causing it to break (and possibly breaking your key along with it).

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Because you likely already have a few of the tools listed above at home, it’s worth trying to extract a broken key on your own. And even if you don’t, these tools only cost between $5 to $15. But, if you want to bypass the hassle of purchasing new tools or simply want to ensure the job is done right without any headache or effort, you can hire a locksmith instead. 

If you go this route, be ready to shell out quite a bit of extra money. On average, the cost of hiring a locksmith runs between $163, depending on the situation. Depending on the provider, you could pay as little as $50 to extract a key, but it could also reach upward of $200 or more if it’s an emergency call.

But, at least you know the job will be done right the first time—which can be worth it if you’re locked out of your house.