How Much Does Key Cutting Cost in the UK?

A standard house key costs from £5.55 to copy for a cylinder (Yale type) key and from £7.40 for a mortice key, while security keys and safe keys cost significantly more. The final price you pay depends on the type of key, the way it is cut and where you live in the UK.

The table below shows 2026 starting prices for copying an existing key. These figures are taken directly from the Master Locksmiths Association key cutting price list and include VAT.

These are typical published prices for 2026, and local quotes will differ. Other common starting prices include office or locker keys from £7.70, caravan keys from £7.95, tubular keys from £14.30 and classic car keys from £14.80.

What changes the price

The prices in the table above are for copying an existing key to a standard pattern. Several factors will push the price up or change how a locksmith approaches the job.

• The type of key dictates the price, as basic cylinder keys are much cheaper than complex safe keys.
• The cutting method changes the cost, because cutting a key by code or by hand takes longer than copying an existing pattern.
• Your location plays a major role, with prices generally higher in London and the South East.
• VAT changes the final total, as some small businesses are not VAT registered while larger firms are.

Key cutting equipment can cost thousands of pounds, and professional locksmiths must cover this investment. You should always ask for a total price, including parts, VAT and any out-of-hours charges, before you agree to the work.

How long key cutting takes

Most key cutters offer a while you wait service for standard copies. A standard cylinder key, often called a Yale type key, takes less than a minute to cut. A traditional mortice house key is slightly more complex and takes up to five minutes.

Security keys for high security cylinders take between five and 15 minutes because the machinery required is highly specialised. Each standard key is normally cut in under five minutes, meaning a quick trip to the locksmith is usually enough to get a spare for your front door.

Safe keys take the longest to cut, anywhere from five minutes to an hour depending on the type of safe key and the locksmith. Cutting a key to a code or by hand can take longer than copying an existing pattern.

Security keys and restricted key systems

A standard key blank is easy to find and simple to duplicate. A restricted key uses an unusual key blank or shape that only limited people can duplicate. Restricted keys are priced on request because the blanks are not widely available.

Many keys are stamped with phrases like do not copy or do not duplicate. This means the manufacturer intended the key to be restricted. However, a key is only truly restricted if it has a patent. A restricted key without a patent is usually not legally protected, meaning a locksmith with the right blank can still copy it.

If your key is marked with an MLA code, it means a specific locksmith holds the licence to that key. They are the only person who can replace it for you. You will need to find the locksmith registered to that code to get a spare cut.

Patented keys and proof of ownership

A patented key has legal protection, making it illegal for an unauthorised person to copy it. They are often used with high security cylinders, and the patent is there to stop anyone making a spare without the owner's authorisation.

Patented keys must be supplied by the originating centre, which has a licence agreement with the manufacturer. Only approved dealers can cut these keys, and they will ask for proof of ownership. This usually means presenting the key card that came with the lock when it was new.

If you have moved into a property and do not know who the originating centre is, a local locksmith can usually obtain keys for you. They will need a letter of authorisation to prove you have the right to request a copy. This stops previous tenants or contractors from ordering keys to your home.

Cutting a key without a working original

You do not always need a working original key to get a spare. Some keys can be cut from the code numbers stamped on the key or the lock itself. A key cutting locksmith can use these numbers to cut a brand new key that matches the original factory shape exactly.

If your key has snapped inside the door, you can often still get a replacement. A new key can generally be made from a broken key, depending on how clean the break is. You will need to provide both parts of the key for the locksmith to copy the pattern.

If a piece of the key is stuck inside the lock, do not try to dig it out yourself. You risk pushing it further in or damaging the internal pins. Read our guide on what to do when a key snaps in the lock to see how a professional extracts the broken piece safely.

When a new key is not the answer

Getting a key cut is the right choice when you want a spare for a family member. It is the wrong choice if your keys are lost or stolen and you do not know who has them. Anyone who finds or takes them may be able to let themselves in.

In this situation, most locksmiths will replace the door lock entirely rather than just cutting a new key. Replacing lost keys to a house starts from £100 and takes from about one hour. This usually involves fitting a new euro cylinder, mortice deadlock or night latch so the old keys no longer work. You can find out more about the costs involved in our guide on when to change door locks and what it should cost.

If you rent your home, check your tenancy agreement and get the landlord's agreement before changing the locks. A landlord who changes the locks to keep a tenant out without a court order commits illegal eviction, which is a criminal offence. Tenants facing this situation should contact Citizens Advice or Shelter for guidance.

Insurers often ask what locks are fitted, so if you do change a lock, check your own policy wording to make sure the new one still meets it.

Car keys are a different job

Car keys are a job for an auto locksmith, a separate specialism covering vehicle entry, key cutting, and transponder and remote programming. A modern car key usually cannot be made at a standard key cutting counter. You need an auto locksmith who has the right diagnostic equipment.

An auto locksmith will cut the physical blade and program the transponder chip inside the key head. Without this programming, the car immobiliser will prevent the engine from starting. Because vehicle security is strict, spare car keys require proof of ownership such as the V5C document before work begins.

Auto locksmiths usually offer a mobile service and can cut keys at your home or at the roadside. If you need a spare for your vehicle or have lost your only set, read our guide on choosing an auto locksmith or main dealer for replacement car keys.

Where to get keys cut

There is no government licensing of locksmiths in the UK, meaning anyone can trade as one. This is why vetting matters when you choose someone to work on your home security. The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is the main trade association and runs a voluntary approval scheme. Its approved companies are vetted, have criminal record checks, employ locksmiths who have passed the MLA exam and are inspected regularly.

When searching for a locksmith, watch out for national call centres advertising as a local business. They often quote a very low price on the phone that multiplies on the doorstep. Another common scam is fitting cheap cylinders at premium prices or refusing to give a total price before starting.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a service must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, at a reasonable price if none was agreed, and within a reasonable time. You have a right to have poor work put right or your money back. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, there is normally a 14-day cancellation period for work arranged at home or by phone. This does not apply where you specifically asked for a visit for urgent repairs, though extra work sold during that visit is not covered by the exception.

Common questions

How much is key cutting?

Prices vary depending on the key type and your location. A standard Yale type cylinder key starts from £5.55, while a mortice house key starts from £7.40. Complex keys like safe keys or patented security keys will cost considerably more.

How long does key cutting take?

A standard house key takes under a minute to cut, and a mortice key takes up to five minutes. Safe keys take the longest, ranging from five minutes to one hour depending on the exact type of safe lock.

What is security key cutting?

Security keys belong to high security cylinders and often have dimples or complex grooves rather than standard teeth. Cutting these keys starts from £21.15 and requires specialist machinery. If the key is patented, you will also need to show a key card or proof of ownership.

What is the car key cutting price?

A classic car key without a transponder chip starts from £14.80 to copy. Modern car keys cost much more because they require an auto locksmith to cut the physical blade and program the electronic transponder to the vehicle.

Next steps before you travel

When you are ready to get a key cut, gathering the right items beforehand will save you a wasted trip. Check these points to ensure the process goes smoothly.

• Bring the original key in the best condition possible, or both halves if it has snapped cleanly.
• Check the key for any manufacturer names, codes or phrases like do not duplicate.
• Bring your key card or a letter of authorisation if the key belongs to a patented high security cylinder.
• Ask the locksmith for a total price including VAT before they start cutting.
• Check the business has a real local address, reviews over time, and any MLA approval claim on the MLA's own site.
• Test the new key in your door as soon as you get home, checking both sides of the lock if applicable.

Getting a standard key cut is a fast and straightforward process when you use a professional. If you need a spare key, a replacement for a snapped blade, or a completely new lock to secure your home, you can find a locksmith near you to get the job done properly.