How to Key Door Locks the Same? | Match Your Locks

Yes, door locks can be keyed the same when they share a compatible keyway and are either ordered keyed alike or rekeyed by a professional.

Getting multiple locks to open with a single key saves you from carrying a bulky ring of near-identical keys. The path to matching locks depends on whether you’re buying new hardware or working with what’s already installed. One wrong assumption about compatibility can leave you with a lock that won’t accept your key, so the keyway check comes before everything else.

What Does “Keyed Alike” Actually Mean?

Keyed alike means one key opens every lock in the set. You can order new locks this way from the factory, or have existing locks rekeyed so they all accept the same key. Keyed different, by contrast, gives each lock its own unique key — useful for a front door and a home office you want to keep separate.

Schlage explains that keyed-alike orders apply to keyed products of the same brand purchased on the same order at no additional charge. Ordering this way lets multiple locks of the same model work with one key or duplicates of that key. The catch is the locks must be bought together in a single transaction; adding a lock later means a rekey instead.

Can You Key Two Existing Locks the Same?

Two existing locks can be keyed alike only if they share the same keyway profile. If your key slides smoothly into both keyholes, you’re likely compatible. If the key won’t physically enter the cylinder, the locks are not compatible for simple rekeying, and a locksmith may need to swap the cylinder entirely.

Rekeying changes the internal pins so an existing lock accepts a new key without replacing the whole lock. The process requires a brand-specific rekey kit — a kit made for one brand often won’t fit another brand’s cylinders. A basic rekey kit for Schlage locks includes the tools and pins needed to match the lock to your preferred key.

For readers ready to upgrade rather than rekey, our roundup of the best bedroom door lock with a key covers tested options that ship keyed alike.

How to Rekey a Lock to Match Another

Rekeying is a precise sequence best done with the manufacturer’s guide in hand. Schlage’s documentation shows two methods depending on your skill level: the key-gauge method for beginners and the advanced rekey sequence for those comfortable with the internal mechanics.

The Key-Gauge Method

Schlage’s quick-start guide uses a key gauge to map the cuts on your existing key to pin numbers. You read the key’s depth at each position, select the matching pins from your rekey kit, and install them in the cylinder. This method works well when you have a duplicate key that already operates the lock you want to match.

The Advanced Rekey Sequence

The advanced procedure on supported Schlage products follows a specific rotation: insert the key, rotate it 90° left, press the rekey pin, then perform the rotation sequence outlined in the manual. The exact number of rotations depends on the lock model, so the printed instructions matter more than a general rule.

When the rotation sequence completes, the lock accepts the new key and rejects the old one. Test it with both keys before reinstalling the lock — a lock that won’t open from the outside is a frustrating problem you can catch at the bench instead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most frequent errors come down to compatibility and preparation. Watch for these:

• Assuming any two locks can be rekeyed together — the keyway and cylinder design decide this, not the brand name.
• Buying multiple locks without checking the key code or packaging sticker — some locks ship keyed alike from the factory, others don’t.
• Using the wrong brand’s rekey kit — the pins and tools are not interchangeable across manufacturers.
• Confusing keyed alike with keyed different — decide which you need before you order.

When locks won’t match, a locksmith is the practical fallback. Schlage notes customers can bring locks to a local hardware store or locksmith, or have a locksmith rekey them at home. This costs more than a DIY kit but removes the guesswork from keyway compatibility and pin selection.