Cutting a Key for a Cylinder Lock

ready

set up

test

1st cut

2nd cut

3rd cut

4th cut

5th cut

reset

This Demonstration shows how a typical cylinder lock and key work. When the key cuts align with all five pins and the little light lines line up with the change in background color, the key and the lock cylinder can rotate. This moves a bolt, thus unlocking the door. You can change the heights of the cuts to find the right combination (which is shown in Snapshot 3).