When You're Locked Out and Need Back Inside

If you're locked out of your own home or a room you own, you have several ways to open the door without the key. The fastest route depends on what kind of lock you have, whether you're in a rental or own the property, and how much damage you're willing to accept. A locksmith can open almost any residential lock in 15 to 30 minutes, but costs $75 to $200. If you want to try opening it yourself first, the method changes based on whether the lock is a straightforward keyed knob, a deadbolt, or a privacy lock (the kind with a small hole in the center).

The choice also depends on what you have access to right now. If you can reach the inside of the door, you can remove the lock hardware without tools in most cases. If you're locked out from both sides, your options narrow to lock picking, drilling, or calling a professional. For rental properties, calling your landlord or a locksmith is almost always the safer choice because forcing entry can breach your lease and cost you your security deposit.

Key Takeaways

  • Privacy locks with a center hole can be opened with a straightened paperclip or a small flathead screwdriver pushed straight in, which takes seconds and causes no damage.
  • Keyed knobs and deadbolts require either a locksmith, bolt cutters if you own the door, or calling your landlord if you rent.
  • Bumping a lock (striking the key while turned) or picking it works on some older locks but fails on modern pin-tumbler designs and takes practice.
  • If you own the door, drilling out the lock or removing the hinges are last resorts that destroy the lock but get you inside in minutes.
  • A locksmith is the safest choice for rental properties because forcing entry can breach your lease and cost you your deposit.

Opening a Privacy Lock From the Outside

A privacy lock is the small push-button lock on bathroom and bedroom doors. It has a tiny hole in the center of the knob. You can open it without a key in under a minute using a straightened paperclip, a small flathead screwdriver, or even a bobby pin.

Push the tool straight into the hole until you feel resistance. You're pushing against a small spring-loaded pin inside. Keep steady pressure and turn the knob at the same time. The door will unlock. This method works because privacy locks are designed to be opened from outside in emergencies — they have no real security. The entire process takes longer to describe than to do.

Picking or Bumping a Keyed Lock

Picking a lock means using tension and a pick tool to lift the pins inside the lock one at a time until they all sit at the correct height. Bumping means striking a specially cut key while it's partially turned in the lock, which can jar all the pins into place at once. Both methods work on some older locks but fail on most modern residential locks, which have security pins designed to resist these techniques.

If you want to try picking, you need a tension wrench (applies slight rotational pressure) and a pick (lifts the pins). These come in lock-picking sets for $10 to $30 online. The process takes 5 to 30 minutes if it works at all, and requires practice. Most people find it frustrating on their first attempt. Bumping requires a bump key cut to match your lock's profile, which a locksmith can make but a hardware store cannot. Neither method is reliable enough to count on if you need to get inside now, and both can damage the lock's internal components if done incorrectly. If you rent, attempting either one risks violating your lease.

Removing the Lock or Door Hardware

If you own the door and the lock is keyed, you can remove the lock entirely by unscrewing the interior side. Most residential knobs and deadbolts are held on with two screws visible from inside the door. Remove both screws and the lock pulls out. This takes 2 to 5 minutes and causes no damage to the door itself — you can reinstall the same lock later or replace it with a new one.

If the door swings inward toward you, you can also remove the hinges instead. Hinges are usually on the outside of the door frame. Use a hammer and nail or a pin punch to tap the hinge pins upward from below until they slide out. Remove all three hinge pins and the door lifts away from the frame. This works even if the lock is on the other side, but it's slower than removing the lock and leaves the door unsecured until you reinstall the hinges.

Drilling Out the Lock

Drilling out a lock destroys it but gets you inside in 5 to 10 minutes. You need a power drill and a drill bit slightly smaller than the lock's cylinder (usually 1/4 inch for residential locks). Drill straight through the center of the lock cylinder at high speed. The bit will break through the pins inside and the cylinder will spin freely. Turn it with pliers or a screwdriver and the door opens.

After drilling, the lock is unusable and must be replaced. A new keyed knob or deadbolt costs $15 to $50 and takes 10 minutes to install. Only use this method if you own the door and have no other option. On a rental property, drilling the lock will almost certainly cost you your security deposit and may breach your lease. The damage is permanent and visible, so there's no hiding it from a landlord.

Calling a Locksmith or Your Landlord

A locksmith is the fastest and safest option if you don't want to damage anything. Call a local locksmith and describe the lock type. Most arrive within an hour and open the door in 15 to 30 minutes without damage. Cost is typically $75 to $200 depending on the lock type and your location. Ask for the price before they arrive so there are no surprises.

If you rent, contact your landlord or property manager first. They have a key and may come open the door for you at no cost, or they may require you to pay for a locksmith visit. Check your lease — some leases make the tenant responsible for lockout costs, others make the landlord responsible. If the landlord is unavailable, a locksmith is your next step, and you can ask the locksmith to bill the landlord directly if your lease allows it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a credit card to open a keyed lock?

No. Credit cards work only on straightforward spring-latch locks (the kind that click shut without a key). Keyed locks and deadbolts have a bolt that doesn't retract when you slide something between the door and frame. If your lock is a spring latch, you can slide a thin card between the door and frame to push the latch back, but this takes practice and often damages the card.

What if I'm locked out of a rental property?

Contact your landlord or property manager first — they have a key and are often required by law to provide access to tenants. If they're unavailable and you need in urgently, call a locksmith and ask whether they can bill the landlord. Keep the receipt. Do not drill the lock or force the door on a rental property without permission, as this can cost you your deposit and violate your lease.

How long does it take a locksmith to open a door?

Most residential locks take 15 to 30 minutes. Older locks or straightforward locks open faster. High-security locks or locks that are stuck or damaged take longer. The locksmith's arrival time is usually longer than the opening time — expect 30 minutes to an hour from your call to them arriving at your door.

Will picking a lock damage it?

Picking can damage the lock if done incorrectly, especially if you explore too much force or use the wrong tools. Bumping is more likely to cause damage because it relies on impact. If you want to preserve the lock, drilling it out is actually more reliable — you destroy it completely but don't risk partial damage that leaves it jammed.

What's the cheapest way to get back inside?

If it's a privacy lock, a straightened paperclip costs nothing. If it's a keyed lock and you own the door, removing the lock screws from inside takes 5 minutes and costs nothing. If you rent or can't access the inside, a locksmith is the safest option and usually costs $75 to $200. Calling your landlord first is free if they have a key.