How Much Does It Cost to Copy a Key? (Price Guide)

A key copy is cheap when the key is plain brass and a machine can trace it in a minute. The price rises when the key has a chip, a restricted blank, or a laser-cut blade, because those need more equipment and sometimes authorization. So the first question for any quote is which kind of key you are holding.

This guide sorts key copying by key type and by where you go: a hardware counter, a self-service kiosk, or a locksmith. It also covers the difference between copying a key you have and replacing one you lost, which is a much larger bill.

All three can copy a standard house key, but they differ in convenience and range.

• Hardware store counter. A clerk cuts the copy. Plain metal keys are the usual job. ACME Locksmith says a hardware store or Walmart will copy a plain metal key for as little as the low end of the range above.
• Self-service kiosk. You insert the key and choose a blank. Kiosks handle common home, office, and padlock keys. Decorative blanks cost more than plain ones.
• Locksmith. A locksmith handles worn keys, restricted keys, and unusual blanks, and usually charges more than a counter or kiosk. Locksmiths may also add a trip or minimum fee if they come to you.

Pick the counter or kiosk for ordinary keys. Pick a locksmith when the key is worn, when the blank is unusual, or when a store has already turned you away.

Some house keys carry a "do not duplicate" stamp or are patented. A shop may refuse to copy them without proof that you are authorized, and the copy may need a specific blank. High-security keys cost more than standard keys for that reason. If a store cannot cut your key, a locksmith or the lock's manufacturer can often explain the options.

Car keys are the main reason key prices climb. Many modern keys contain a transponder chip that the car recognizes. Copying such a key means cutting the blade and either cloning the chip or programming it to the car.

Cloning copies the chip's data to a new key and is usually the cheaper route when you still have a working key. It also has a drawback: the copy shares the original's identity, so if a cloned key is lost, it may not be possible to remove it from the car on its own the way a separately programmed key often can. Ask the dealer or locksmith how your model handles this. ACME Locksmith also notes that hardware stores and kiosks reliably copy only basic metal keys, and few can cut laser-cut keys. Ask the locksmith whether your car's key can be cloned and what the difference in price is.

Copying works from an existing key. If you have lost every key to a car, the locksmith has to make a new key from scratch, usually with vehicle information and programming, and that costs substantially more than a copy. If you only have one key left, make a spare before you lose it. That one step can avoid a much larger bill later.

Sources do not describe the same keys.

One source summarizes a general house key range from national cost guides. One describes kiosk prices for ordinary keys. One looks at locksmith pricing for car keys, where the cheapest option is a plain metal key and the top end includes smart fobs. When two ranges look far apart, check which key type each one describes.

• Key type. Plain brass, high-security, transponder, laser-cut, and smart fob keys all price differently.
• Blank design. Decorative or colored blanks cost more than plain ones.
• Location and provider. A kiosk, a store counter, and a mobile locksmith charge differently.
• Quantity. Some kiosks and shops offer lower prices on multiple copies.
• Vehicle. Newer and luxury cars tend to use pricier fobs and tighter security.

Bring the original key, not a worn copy of a copy. A copy made from a worn key can carry the wear. Test the new key in the lock before you leave, and try it in the lock several times. Many kiosks and shops guarantee their copies, so ask about the policy. Keep the original in a safe place and use the copy for daily use.