The fastest and cheapest way to copy a key
The cheapest place to copy a key is usually a hardware store, where a basic house or car key costs $2 to $5. Home Depot, Lowe's, and Ace Hardware all have in-store key machines you can use yourself, or staff can cut the key for you while you wait — usually in under five minutes. A local locksmith will charge $5 to $15 per key, which is more than hardware stores but still reasonable if you need a specialty key or want someone to verify the copy works before you leave.
The most expensive option is a car dealership, which charges $15 to $50 depending on the vehicle and whether the key has a chip or remote. You should only go to a dealership if your key has electronics (a fob or push-button start) that a hardware store cannot handle, or if you need a key programmed to your specific vehicle.
Dollar stores and supermarkets with key machines are sometimes cheaper than hardware stores — some charge $1 to $3 per key — but the machines are often older and produce lower-quality copies. If you are copying a key you use every day, spending the extra dollar or two at a hardware store usually saves frustration later.
Key Takeaways
- Hardware stores like Home Depot and Ace Hardware charge $2 to $5 per key and can copy most house and car keys while you wait.
- Local locksmiths charge $5 to $15 and are worth the cost if you need a specialty key or want verification that the copy works.
- Car dealerships charge $15 to $50 and are necessary only for keys with electronics or remote functions.
- Dollar stores and supermarkets have cheaper machines but produce lower-quality copies that may wear out faster.
- Bring the original key with you — stores cannot copy a key from a photo or description.
What to bring when you go to copy a key
Bring the original key itself. No store will copy a key from a photo, description, or memory — they need the physical key in front of them to cut an accurate copy. If you have lost the original and only have a lock (like a padlock or filing cabinet), a locksmith can make a key from the lock, but this costs more and takes longer than copying an existing key.
If you are copying a car key, bring the key fob or remote if it has one. The hardware store can copy the physical part of the key, but they cannot program a remote or chip into a new key — that requires a dealership or a locksmith with specialized equipment. Knowing this before you arrive saves a wasted trip.
Why some keys cost more to copy
A basic house key or straightforward car key costs $2 to $5 because the blank is cheap and the cutting machine is fast. A high-security key — used on some office buildings, filing cabinets, or newer cars — costs $10 to $25 because the blank is more expensive and the machine needs more precision. Some high-security keys cannot be copied at all without proof of ownership, because they are designed to prevent unauthorized duplication.
Car keys with transponder chips (which communicate with the car's computer) cannot be copied at a hardware store. The blank key costs $15 to $40, and programming it to your car costs another $50 to $200 at a dealership. A locksmith can sometimes do this for less, but you will still pay more than for a regular key copy.
Older keys are usually cheaper to copy than newer ones because the blanks are simpler and more widely available. If you have an antique lock or a specialty key, call ahead to a locksmith and describe it — they can tell you whether they have the blank in stock and what it will cost.
How to find a cheap locksmith near you
Search "locksmith near me" or "key copy near me" on Google Maps to see locksmiths in your area and their stated prices. Many locksmiths post their rates online, so you can compare before you call. Look for shops that have been in business for several years and have customer reviews — a locksmith with a physical storefront is usually more reliable than one who only works from a van.
Call ahead and describe the key you need copied. A locksmith can tell you when ready whether they have the blank in stock and what the cost will be. Some locksmiths charge a service call fee ($20 to $50) if you need them to come to your home, so ask whether that applies before you commit.
If you need a key copied urgently and it is after hours, some locksmiths offer 24-hour service, but they charge a premium — sometimes double the daytime rate. For routine key copies, calling during business hours and visiting in person is always cheaper.
When to go to a hardware store versus a locksmith
Go to a hardware store if you need a basic house key, a straightforward car key without electronics, or a padlock key copied. Hardware stores are fast, cheap, and you do not need an appointment. If the copy does not work, you can go back and ask them to try again at no extra charge.
Go to a locksmith if the key is unusual or specialty (like a high-security key or an old antique key), if you need the key programmed or tested before you leave, or if you need a key made from a lock rather than from an existing key. A locksmith can also help if you have lost your only key and need a replacement made quickly.
Go to a car dealership only if your car key has a remote or push-button start, or if you need a key programmed to a newer vehicle. Dealerships are the most expensive option but they have access to all the blanks and programming equipment for your specific car model.
What to expect when you arrive at the store
At a hardware store, you will either hand your key to an employee at the service desk or use a self-service key machine. If you use the machine yourself, it takes about two minutes — you insert your key and a blank into the machine, press a button, and the machine cuts the copy. If an employee cuts it, they will do the same thing and hand you the copy within five minutes.
The employee or machine will not test whether the copy works — that is your responsibility. If you are copying a key to a lock you have with you, ask the employee if you can test it before you pay. Most stores will let you do this at the counter.
At a locksmith shop, you will describe the key or hand it over, and the locksmith will cut it on their machine. This usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how busy they are. Some locksmiths will test the key in the lock before you leave, which is worth the extra few minutes.
How to avoid paying for a bad copy
Test the copy in the lock before you leave the store. If it does not turn smoothly or gets stuck, ask the employee to adjust it or make another copy. Most stores will do this at no extra charge if you catch the problem while you are still there.
If you notice the copy does not work after you leave, go back to the store with both the original key and the copy. Bring the lock if you can — this makes it obvious that the copy is defective. Most hardware stores will remake the key for free if you return it the same day.
Keep your original key safe. If you lose it and only have a bad copy, you will have to pay a locksmith to make a new key from the lock itself, which costs significantly more than copying an existing key.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a key without the original?
No, not at a hardware store. A locksmith can make a key from the lock itself, but this costs $50 to $150 depending on the lock type and how long it takes. This is much more expensive than copying an existing key, so it is worth keeping your original key in a safe place.
How long does a key copy last?
A well-made key copy should last as long as the original — years of regular use. A poor-quality copy from a cheap machine may wear out faster or get stuck in the lock. This is why spending a few extra dollars at a hardware store or locksmith is often worth it if you use the key every day.
Can I copy a car key at a hardware store?
Yes, if it is a basic car key without a remote or chip. If your key has a fob or push-button start, the hardware store can copy the physical part, but you will need a dealership or locksmith to program the remote or chip to your car.
Do I need proof of ownership to copy a key?
For most keys, no. For high-security keys or keys to commercial buildings, some locksmiths will ask for proof that you own or rent the property. If you cannot provide proof, they may refuse to copy it. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized key duplication.
What is the cheapest way to copy multiple keys at once?
Hardware stores usually charge the same per key whether you copy one or ten, so copying multiple keys at once does not save money. However, some locksmiths offer a small discount if you order five or more keys. Call ahead and ask.