Emergency 2 min read·
How do I get a broken key out of a lock?
Don't force it. Use needle-nose tweezers gently from outside; otherwise call a locksmith — wrong tools push the key deeper or break the cylinder.
If the broken stub is sticking out at all, fine-tip tweezers or a key-extractor tool can grip and pull straight out. Lubricate with graphite, never oil — oil attracts grit.
If the break is flush or below the keyway, an extractor with a hooked tip is the right tool. Hardware-store kits work, but practice on a scrap lock first.
A Mount Pleasant, NC locksmith can typically extract and cut a fresh key in 15–25 minutes without replacing the lock — usually $75–$140 total.
Need a locksmith in Mount Pleasant, NC?
Real local techs · 6 AM – 11:30 PM every day.