Your new Custom Key just arrived, and it's exactly what you were looking for. Now you need key duplication: copying the cuts from your current house key onto your new Custom Key, so it opens your door.
Key duplication only costs a few dollars. Every Custom Key is made on an industry-standard KW1 or SC1 blank, so almost any locksmith or independent hardware store can copy your key onto it in a few minutes. Not sure which one you have? See how to tell KW1 from SC1.
How key duplication works
Key duplication cuts a new blank to match the pattern of an existing key. A technician clamps your original key and the new blank side by side in a duplicating machine, which traces the original's cuts onto the blank. The whole job takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Your Custom Key uses a standard blank shape under its custom design, so copying it is a routine job for anyone who runs a key machine. The head shape is the only unusual part, and it doesn't affect the copy.
Where to get your keys copied
There are three main options. Two of them work for Custom Keys, and one doesn't.
A locksmith (our top pick)
A locksmith is our top recommendation. They're licensed, use professional equipment, and have the most experience with unusual key shapes like ours. Search "locksmith near me" and look for one that works on house keys. Some locksmiths only do car or commercial work, so check before you go.
Many locksmiths also offer a mobile service, where a technician comes to you with a portable key machine. It's convenient, but it costs more than a visit to the shop.
An independent hardware store
Independent hardware stores can copy your Custom Key too. The main difference is who runs the machine: at some stores it's a key specialist, and at others it's whoever is at the register.
This is rarely a problem. Tell them you have a standard KW1 or SC1 blank with a custom head design, and they'll know what to do. If you're unsure, call ahead. Hardware stores are often open later and on weekends, which can make them more convenient than a locksmith.
Self-serve kiosks (won't work)
Big box stores like Lowe's and Home Depot often have self-serve key kiosks. Those kiosks only cut the blanks already loaded inside the machine, so you can't feed in your own Custom Key. Skip them for this job. There's more on this in Key Copying Kiosks vs Locksmiths.
What does key duplication cost?
Prices vary from shop to shop, but here's what to expect:
- Locksmith or hardware store: about $3 to $10 for a standard KW1 or SC1 copy.
- Mobile locksmith: about $50 to $75, since they come to you.
- Self-serve kiosk: not an option, because kiosks can't cut a Custom Key.
Key duplication vs. a key cutting service
People use these terms interchangeably, but there's a small difference. Key duplication copies an existing key's pattern onto a new blank, and that's what you need for your Custom Key. A key cutting service is any shop that cuts keys, whether it copies an existing key or cuts a new one from scratch. Locksmiths and hardware stores both offer key cutting. Duplication is the specific job you're asking for.
Can I get a key made without the original?
If you don't have a working key to copy, for example because it's lost or broken, a locksmith can still make one. It's a different job from duplication. A locksmith can:
- Fit a blank to the lock by hand (called impressioning).
- Read the lock's pin depths and cut a key to match (called decoding).
- Cut a key from the manufacturer's key code, if you have it.
This takes longer and usually costs more than a copy, so bring your original key if you have one. Even a worn key is easier to work from.
Tips for a smooth visit
- Bring your original key, not a copy of a copy. Each copy can drift a little from the original, and you can end up with a key that sticks.
- Tell them the blank type (KW1 or SC1) up front, so they set up the right blank.
- Try the new key in your lock right away. If it sticks, take it back to the shop that cut it.
- If a hardware store says it can't help, try a locksmith. Locksmiths handle the widest range of key shapes.
Still have questions?
If you need help getting your Custom Key copied, contact us and we'll walk you through it.