How to Get the Same Key for All Your Doors

Yes, you can have one key for your front door, back door and every other door. You can’t get a single key cut to fit the locks you already have, because each lock is made for its own key. Instead, you swap the lock barrel in each door for a matching set that all work with one key. It’s a DIY job that takes about 10 minutes per door with a screwdriver.

Locksmiths call a set of locks that share one key “keyed alike”. You don’t need to know the jargon, but it’s the term you’ll see when you shop for them.

Can I Get One Key Cut to Fit All My Locks?

No. Inside every lock barrel is a row of tiny pins, set to match the cuts on its own key. Your front door and back door locks were set up for different keys, so no single key can open both. A key cutter can copy a key, but they can’t make one that opens two different locks.

The fix is to replace the barrels with a set that has been made to share one key. You don’t need to replace the whole lock, the handles or the door: on uPVC and composite doors, only the barrel changes.

How to Get the Same Key for All Your Doors

1. Check your doors have a lock barrel. Open the door and look at its edge, in line with the keyhole. If there’s a single long screw holding the lock in place, you have a euro cylinder (the barrel). Most uPVC, composite and aluminium doors do.
2. Measure the barrel on each door. Each door can be a different size, so measure them separately. Our guide on how to measure a euro cylinder shows you how. It takes a couple of minutes.
3. Decide how you want to lock each door from inside. Choose a key on both sides, or a thumb turn so you can lock and unlock from inside without a key.
4. Order a matching set. Add a keyed alike barrel for each door in its own size. Everything in the order is set up to work with the same key, and you get 3 keys between all the locks.
5. Swap the barrels. Fit the new barrel in each door (see below). From then on, one key opens them all.

One key for every door

Avocet ABS keyed alike barrels, TS007 3-star anti-snap. Choose a size for each door. £54.99.

Choose your sizes →

How to Swap the Lock Barrel on Each Door

1. Open the door and undo the long screw on the edge of the door, in line with the keyhole.
2. Put the old key in and turn it slightly, about 10–15°, until the old barrel slides out. Pull it out by the key.
3. Put a new key in the new barrel, turn it slightly the same way, and slide it into the door.
4. Refit the screw. Don’t overtighten it.
5. Check the key turns and the door locks properly before you close it.

Repeat for each door. Our guide on measuring and removing a euro cylinder has more detail.

Want to include another type of lock, like a garage door? Email us or call and we’ll tell you what’s possible.

Want to lock from inside without a key?

Add thumb turn barrels to the same set. They still open with the same key from outside. £64.99.

View the thumb turn →

Is It Safe to Use One Key for Everything?

Yes. The locks are exactly as secure as they would be with separate keys. Our Avocet ABS keyed alike barrels are TS007 3-star anti-snap, the highest TS007 rating. If you’re currently using old, basic barrels, changing to a matching 3-star set makes your doors more secure, not less.

The one thing to remember is that a lost key opens every door in the set. Keep your spare keys somewhere safe, and if a key is lost or stolen, replace the set.

How Much Does It Cost?

At the time of writing, our keyed alike Avocet ABS barrels start at £54.99 each, or £64.99 for a thumb turn version. A front and back door costs about £110 for two 3-star locks and three keys that open both. Extra keys are £9.99 each.

Because each set is made to order, delivery can take up to 7 working days, and the locks can’t be returned unless they’re faulty, so double-check your sizes. Not sure? Email a photo of each lock to info@homesecureshop.co.uk or call us on 0151 521 8089, and we’ll check them for you.

Already Have Avocet ABS Locks?

You may not need to change them. Using the code on your ABS key card, we can make new barrels built to your existing code for your other doors, so they work with the key you already have.

Want to know more about how it works? Read our guide to what keyed alike means.