Cost Guide
Getting a standard house key copied in NYC costs $2 to $5 and takes under five minutes at most hardware stores, shoe repair shops, or self-service key kiosks. However, not all keys can be duplicated at a retail counter. High-security keys, restricted keyway keys, and transponder car keys require a licensed locksmith with specialized equipment. Below is everything NYC residents need to know about key duplication -- where to go, what it costs, and which keys need professional handling. Call (718) 412-1332 if you need key copies made by a licensed locksmith.
New York City has more key-cutting options per square mile than almost anywhere in the country. Here is where to go depending on your key type:
Neighborhood hardware stores remain the most reliable option for standard key copies. Most stores in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens have a manual or semi-automatic key cutting machine behind the counter. The person operating it can usually tell you immediately whether your key can be copied on their equipment. Chains like Home Depot and Lowe's also offer key cutting at their service desks.
A distinctly New York option. Many of the city's shoe repair shops -- particularly in older neighborhoods like the Upper West Side, Park Slope, Bay Ridge, and Astoria -- double as key-cutting operations. They typically handle standard residential keys at competitive prices and are often open earlier and later than hardware stores.
Automated kiosks from companies like KeyMe are located inside convenience stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies across all five boroughs. You scan your key, and the machine cuts a copy in about 60 seconds. Kiosk copies of standard keys run $3 to $6. These machines can also store a digital backup of your key profile so you can order replacements later -- useful if you lose all your copies. However, kiosk quality can be inconsistent, and they cannot handle high-security or restricted keyway keys.
For anything beyond a standard brass key, a locksmith is your best -- and sometimes only -- option. A locksmith can cut standard keys, but their real value is handling keys that retail locations cannot:
Costs vary significantly depending on the key type. Here is what to expect:
| Key Type | Where to Copy | Typical NYC Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard brass house key | Hardware store, kiosk, cobbler | $2 -- $5 |
| Medeco key | Authorized locksmith only | $20 -- $35 |
| Mul-T-Lock key | Authorized locksmith only | $15 -- $30 |
| Abloy key | Authorized locksmith only | $25 -- $40 |
| Mailbox key (standard) | Hardware store, locksmith | $3 -- $8 |
| Basic car key (no chip) | Hardware store, locksmith | $5 -- $15 |
| Transponder car key | Locksmith, dealership | $75 -- $250 |
| Key fob with remote start | Locksmith, dealership | $150 -- $400 |
| Key origination (no original) | Locksmith only | $50 -- $150 |
For an exact quote on specialty key duplication, call (718) 412-1332.
Not every key that fits in your pocket can be duplicated at a retail counter. Several types require a locksmith:
Brands like Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy use patented keyway profiles that are mechanically incompatible with standard key cutting machines. The key blanks are only sold to authorized locksmiths, and duplication requires presenting a key card (an authorization document provided when the lock was installed). This is extremely common in NYC co-ops and condos where master key systems are used building-wide. If you live in a building with restricted keys, your building's managing agent can typically direct you to the authorized locksmith.
This is one of the most misunderstood markings in locksmithing. The "Do Not Duplicate" (DND) stamp on a standard key has no legal enforcement in New York State. There is no statute that prohibits a hardware store or locksmith from copying a DND-stamped key. Many retailers will decline to copy it as a business policy, but it is not legally binding. For genuine key control, the only reliable approach is a restricted keyway system where the key blank itself is proprietary.
Modern car keys contain an electronic transponder chip that must be programmed to communicate with your vehicle's immobilizer. Cutting the physical blade is only half the job -- without programming the chip, the key will turn in the ignition but the car will not start. A mobile automotive locksmith can cut and program most transponder keys on-site, often at significantly lower cost than a dealership.
A freshly cut key that does not work smoothly is frustrating but common. Here are the usual causes:
The locksmith solution: Instead of copying the physical key, a locksmith can decode the lock cylinder and cut a new key based on the lock's actual pin configuration. This produces a key that is as accurate as the factory original, regardless of how worn your current key is.
If you rent an apartment in NYC, there are a few practical considerations around key copying:
There are several situations where making key copies proactively saves time, money, and stress:
These are two different locksmith services that people often confuse:
A standard brass house key costs $2 to $5 at most NYC hardware stores and key kiosks. High-security keys (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy) run $15 to $40 each and must be cut by an authorized locksmith. Transponder car keys range from $75 to $250 depending on the vehicle. Call (718) 412-1332 for exact pricing on specialty keys.
The "Do Not Duplicate" stamp has no legal enforcement in New York State. Any hardware store or kiosk can technically copy it. For genuine key control, the only reliable approach is a restricted keyway system where the key blank itself is proprietary and only available to authorized locksmiths.
For standard keys: local hardware stores, shoe repair shops, and self-service kiosks like KeyMe are available in most NYC neighborhoods across all five boroughs. For high-security, restricted, or car keys, you need a licensed locksmith with the specific key blanks and cutting equipment for your lock brand.
Yes. A locksmith can decode a lock cylinder by reading the pin depths, then cut a new key to match. This is called key origination and typically costs $50 to $150 for a standard door lock. For car keys, locksmiths use the VIN to obtain the key code from the manufacturer's database.
The most common reason is that the original key was already worn, so the copy replicates inaccuracies. Other causes include low-quality key blanks, a miscalibrated cutting machine, or burrs on the new cut. A locksmith can cut a more accurate key by decoding the lock itself rather than copying a worn key.