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Call UsKey Extraction in NYC, New York
Key extraction removes a snapped or jammed key from a lock without destroying the cylinder, covering door locks, ignitions, padlocks, mailboxes and cabinets. Done properly the lock keeps working with your remaining key, and most NYC extractions take 15 to 30 minutes on site. We are licensed and insured, serving NYC and the five boroughs since 2014.
Our technicians extract keys from hundreds of locks every month across NYC and the five boroughs, from single-family homes to apartment complexes and commercial offices. We work on most residential and commercial brands, including Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, Master Lock and Defiant.
Need urgent service? Most calls get a technician dispatched within 30 minutes across the five boroughs. Call (888) 313-2105.
How key extraction works
Our Key Extraction Services
- Door cylinder extraction. Fragment drawn back along the keyway with the cylinder left working.
- Ignition key extraction. Broken blades removed from car ignitions without pulling the cylinder.
- Padlock and gate lock extraction. Often shimmed or decoded rather than cut off.
- Mailbox and cabinet key extraction. Small cam locks where forcing it usually destroys the lock.
- Replacement key cutting. A fresh key cut on the spot, since a snapped key was usually worn thin already.
- Post extraction lock servicing. The cylinder checked and lubricated so the new key does not snap too.
Extraction or a new lock?
| Extraction | Replacing the lock | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 15 to 30 minutes | 20 to 45 minutes plus hardware |
| Cost | Lower, no hardware | Higher, hardware plus labor |
| Your other keys | Keep working | All need replacing |
| Right choice when | The cylinder is sound, which is most of the time | The lock was already failing or the fragment is glued in |
Who this is for
- Homeowners with a key snapped in the front door
- Drivers with a fragment in a door or ignition
- Businesses with a broken key in a storefront lock
- Landlords and property managers
- Anyone with a jammed padlock or gate lock
- Households with a broken mailbox or cabinet key
When should you get this service?
- A key snapped flush in a front door cylinder
- A blade broke in an office or storefront lock
- A key jammed in a padlock or gate
- A fragment is stuck in a car ignition
- A key broke in a mailbox or filing cabinet
- A worn key snapped under normal use
The Parts of NYC We Are Serving
Central and downtown: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx
Nearby: Jersey City, Newark
24 Hour Locksmith Service in NYC
Residential Locksmith
Deadbolts, high security locks, safes, window guards and broken lock repairs in your NYC home.
Read More →Automotive Locksmith
Keys locked in the car, a key damaged in the ignition, or a fob that stopped working. We come to the vehicle.
Read More →Commercial Locksmith
Storefront deadlatches, panic hardware, master key systems and access control for NYC businesses.
Read More →Emergency Locksmith
24/7 response across NYC. Lockouts, snapped keys and break-in damage secured the same night.
Read More →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between extraction and replacing the lock?
Extraction pulls the broken fragment out and leaves your existing cylinder working with your other keys; replacement means new hardware and new keys for everyone. Extraction succeeds on the large majority of jobs, so replacement is the fallback rather than the default.
How much does key extraction cost?
Starting at a flat rate quoted on the phone. Confirmed on the phone before dispatch, and unchanged on arrival.
How long does it take?
15 to 30 minutes on site for most locks, after a typical 30 minutes arrival across the five boroughs.
Should I try to get it out myself first?
No. Pliers and tweezers push the fragment deeper and superglue bonds it to the pins, which is the one scenario that genuinely does mean a new lock. If you have already tried, say so on the phone, because it changes the tools we bring.
Can you cut a replacement key while you are here?
Yes, on the spot. If the original snapped it was probably worn thin already, so a fresh one is worth having.
Who typically needs this service?
Homeowners with a key snapped in a front door, drivers with a fragment in a door or ignition, and businesses with a broken key in a storefront lock.
How do I book key extraction in NYC?
Call (888) 313-2105. Tell us what kind of lock and whether any part of the key is still visible. You get an arrival window and a price on that call.