What is keyed alike vs keyed to differ?

When researching which locks are the best to buy, you may have come across the terms keyed alike and keyed to differ. These two types of locks each have their own benefits and which one you should choose will depend entirely upon your own needs. If you have multiple locks that are keyed to differ, you also have the option of a master key.

Read on to find out about the differences between keyed different vs keyed alike along with all their benefits and uses, helping you choose the security you need to keep your home, belongings and business protected.

What does keyed alike mean?

Keyed alike means that all locks within a set can be opened using the same key. In other words, if your front and back door are keyed alike, then you only need one key to open both doors.

The benefits of keyed alike

Having locks and padlocks that are keyed alike is a great way of keeping your security simple, which in turn brings multiple benefits for both homeowners and businesses. Here are the top 3 advantages to keying locks alike.

1. Efficient 

Since you only need one key, you can spend less time looking for the right one. This is especially useful for businesses with multiple offices, cabinets and equipment where employees need to carry several keys at once.

2. Economic 

No matter how many locks you have, you only need to purchase one key which makes this a more affordable option. If you need to give a family member or new employee access, then you’ll also only need to cut one key.

3. Hassle-free 

Instead of carrying around large bundles of keys, you only need to carry one. This makes it easier to keep your keys with you, giving you a simple and secure solution.

The Drawbacks of keyed alike 

While keying your locks alike is a great time-saving solution, it does have its drawbacks and might not be practical for those who need to limit access to certain rooms or equipment. It can also be quite costly should you lose your key. Although technically you would only need to get one replacement, we would always recommend replacing the whole set including your actual locks to avoid compromising your security.

In these instances, having your locks keyed to differ would provide a more practical solution.

What does keyed different mean?

Keyed different, or keyed to differ, is where each lock has a unique cylinder that requires a different key to unlock it. So for example, if your front and back door are keyed to differ, then you’ll need two separate keys to open them.

The benefits of keyed to differ

Having all your locks work on separate keys can offer a higher level of security, and here are the top 3 reasons why you might want to opt for locks that are keyed to differ.

1. Organised access

Keyed to differ locks are ideal for people that need to control who has access to certain areas. This means you can give someone access to a specific room or piece of equipment without giving them access to everything, keeping your business or home secure.

2. Control

Being able to organise who has access to where also gives you better control over your security. Likewise, if a key goes missing, you can also rest easy knowing that everything else is still safe and secure, keeping you in control.

3. Replacement cost

In the event that a key does get lost, you’ll only need to replace the one lock. This not only keeps replacement costs to a minimum, but is also quicker and easier to resolve than replacing your entire security solution.

The drawbacks of keyed to differ

The main disadvantage of having all your locks use a different key is that it can be cumbersome. Depending on how many locks you have, you’ll need to handle multiple keys at once and keep track of who has access to copies of different locks. This means that if you opt for locks that are keyed to differ, then you’ll need to have them clearly organised to keep your security as efficient and effective as possible.

What does master keyed mean?

One way to get the best of both worlds is to have your locks keyed to differ, but also master keyed. This means that while each lock has a unique cylinder requiring a different key, there is one key that can open them all. For example, if you have four padlocks that are keyed to differ, you’ll receive four unique keys designated to each lock. You’ll then receive a fifth key known as the master key which will be able to open all 4 padlocks.

The benefits of a master key

Having your locks master keyed gives you a more flexible and efficient solution. You can continue to limit access for certain individuals, while also providing one master key to those who need access to all areas. This gives you even more control and high levels of security while creating an efficient security system for your whole team.

Keyed alike vs keyed different

Both keyed alike and keyed to differ provide tough security for your home or workplace, and which security system you choose to use will depend on your individual needs. Keying alike is ideal if you want to avoid carrying around lots of keys, while keyed to differ will be more practical if you need more control over who has access to certain areas. If you need the best of both solutions, then opt for a master keyed system that allows you to create a flexible system tailored to your needs.

At Squire, we have a range of padlocks that are available as both master keyed and keyed alike, giving you a wide range of flexible security options. Just remember that whichever solution you choose, the level of physical security will depend on the lock’s Sold Secure rating. Undergoing rigorous tests using a range of tools by an independent organisation, this gives you an idea of how long your chosen lock can withstand an attack. From Bronze to Diamond, find out more about Sold Secure ratings in our Sold Secure Ratings Explained article.