TL;DR — Broken Key Extraction At A Glance
- Most people pay £60–£150 inc VAT for broken key extraction across the UK, rising to £90–£180 in London and the South East.
- A clean pull from a healthy lock takes 15–30 minutes and sits at the lower end; a key snapped inside a seized or high-security lock costs more.
- The price depends on the lock type, where the key broke, whether the lock survives the job, and the time of day.
- Out-of-hours and emergency call-outs add roughly £40–£90 to the bill.
- If the lock is damaged during removal, a repair or replacement lock (£70–£170+) may be added on top.
- A reputable locksmith gives a fixed price up front with no call-out fee, so the cost is agreed before any tools come out.
Get a fixed price with no call-out fee for broken key extraction — check prices and book a vetted locksmith or call to describe the lock and door.
How Much Does Broken Key Extraction Cost In 2026?
Broken key extraction in the UK costs £60–£150 inc VAT for a standard daytime job, climbing to £90–£180 in London and the South East. Most residential extractions land near the £80–£100 mark, because the majority of snapped keys come out of a working door lock within half an hour using extractor tools.
The single biggest thing that moves the price is whether the lock survives. If the broken half of the key slides out cleanly and the mechanism still turns, the job is labour only. If the key has jammed the cylinder, sheared inside a high-security lock, or snapped because the lock was already failing, the locksmith may need to remove the cylinder or fit a new one — which is where the total climbs. Time of day matters too: an evening, weekend or bank-holiday call-out carries an out-of-hours premium.
Here is what broken key extraction typically costs across the UK:
| Scenario | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Standard extraction (daytime) | £60 – £120 | £90 – £150 |
| Complex or high-security lock | £100 – £150 | £140 – £180 |
| Out-of-hours / emergency | £110 – £200 | £150 – £250 |
| Extraction plus new lock fitted | £130 – £300 | £180 – £360 |
Figures include VAT and reflect 2026 market rates. The exact price depends on the lock and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
Broken Key Extraction Cost By Lock Type
Extraction difficulty varies a lot by the lock the key snapped in. A euro cylinder in a uPVC door is usually quick; a worn mortice lock or a padlock exposed to the weather can take longer. These are typical ranges for common jobs:
| Lock or job | Typical price (rest of UK) | London |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC door euro cylinder | £60 – £130 | £90 – £160 |
| Mortice or night latch (wooden door) | £70 – £150 | £100 – £180 |
| Padlock, gate or shed lock | £50 – £100 | £70 – £130 |
| Window lock or garage lock | £60 – £120 | £90 – £150 |
| Extraction plus lock replacement | £130 – £300 | £180 – £360 |
If the lock is worn or the key snapped because of a failing mechanism, extraction often pairs with a lock repair or a full cylinder change.
What Affects The Cost Of Broken Key Extraction?
Several factors decide where a job lands in the ranges above.
1. Where The Key Snapped
A key that breaks with part of the bow still sticking out of the lock face is the quickest and cheapest to remove. A key that shears flush with the cylinder, or breaks deep inside the mechanism, needs extractor probes and more patience — and more of the locksmith's time.
2. The Lock Type And Security Rating
A standard euro cylinder or night latch is straightforward. High-security cylinders (anti-snap, anti-pick, keyed-alike systems) have tighter tolerances and hardened components, so removing a snapped key without damaging the lock takes longer and costs more.
3. Time Of Day
Standard daytime rates run around £65–£95 per hour. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays move to roughly £110–£130 per hour, adding about £40–£90 to a typical extraction. A key that snaps at 11pm on a Sunday costs more than the same job on a Tuesday morning.
4. Whether The Lock Survives
If the cylinder is undamaged after extraction, the job ends there. If the mechanism is bent, seized or was already on its way out, expect a repair or a new cylinder (single euro cylinders start around £75–£170 fitted), which is added to the labour.
5. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 15–30% higher than the North of England, Wales and Scotland, reflecting higher labour and travel costs. A £90 job in Yorkshire is often £120–£140 for equivalent work in central London.
6. Access And Extra Work
An awkward door position, a lock frozen in winter, or a broken key combined with a jammed door multi-point mechanism all add time. A locksmith will confirm any extra work — and its price — before carrying on.
What's Included — And What's Not?
Typically included in the quoted price:
- Attendance at your address (no call-out fee with a fixed-price provider)
- Removal of the broken key from the lock
- A test of the mechanism afterwards to confirm it still works
- Basic lubrication or adjustment where that solves the problem
Usually charged separately:
- A replacement cylinder or lock if the mechanism is damaged
- Cutting a new key to replace the one that snapped
- Any emergency or out-of-hours premium
- Upgrading to a higher-security lock while the door is open
Always get the extraction and any add-ons confirmed in writing, so the final bill matches the quote.
Can You Do It Yourself?
A broken key that is still poking out of the lock can sometimes be gripped with fine needle-nose pliers or tweezers and eased straight out — turn it to the position the key sat in, keep the pull dead straight, and never twist. Some people have luck with a thin coping-saw blade or a purpose-made key extractor slid alongside the broken piece to hook it free.
The risk is pushing the fragment deeper or scratching and jamming the cylinder, which turns a £70 job into a lock replacement. If the key has snapped flush with the face, if the lock is high-security, or if the door is your only way in and out, calling a professional is the safer and often cheaper route. A locksmith carries proper extractor kits and will usually have the fragment out in minutes without harming the lock.
How To Save Money On Broken Key Extraction
- Stop turning the key the moment it feels stiff — most keys snap because a worn or dry lock is forced. Fixing a sticky lock early avoids the whole problem.
- Book in normal hours where it is safe to wait, to skip the out-of-hours premium.
- Ask for a fixed price up front rather than an hourly rate with an open-ended clock.
- Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbour or in a key safe, so a snapped key is an inconvenience rather than a lock-out.
- Lubricate locks twice a year with a graphite or PTFE lock lubricant (not oil, which attracts grit) to keep keys turning freely.
- Get the whole job quoted — extraction plus any likely repair — so there are no surprises if the lock needs work.
How To Hire A Good Locksmith
Broken key extraction is a small job that a careless locksmith can turn into an expensive one, so vetting matters. Choose a locksmith who is a member of, or approved by, the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) — the MLA vets and inspects its members and requires them to be qualified and insured. Confirm they carry public liability insurance, ask for reviews or references, and insist on a fixed price with no call-out fee before work begins so you are not exposed to a rising hourly bill.
Be wary of unusually low headline prices that balloon on arrival, and of anyone who reaches for a drill straight away — most snapped keys come out without destroying the lock. With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured locksmiths, a fixed price agreed up front and online booking, so you know the cost before anyone touches the lock.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Remove A Broken Key From A Lock?
Removing a broken key typically costs £60–£150 inc VAT across the UK, or £90–£180 in London. A clean extraction from a working lock sits at the lower end; a high-security lock, a flush break or an out-of-hours call-out pushes the price up.
Does The Lock Need Replacing After A Key Snaps?
Not always. If the broken piece comes out cleanly and the mechanism still turns smoothly, no replacement is needed. A lock is usually only changed if the cylinder is damaged, seized, or was already failing — which is often why the key snapped in the first place.
How Long Does Broken Key Extraction Take?
Most extractions take 15–30 minutes. A key that has snapped flush or lodged deep in a high-security lock can take longer, and any follow-on repair or lock change adds time on top.
Is Broken Key Extraction More Expensive At Night Or On Weekends?
Yes. Out-of-hours, weekend and bank-holiday call-outs carry a premium of roughly £40–£90 over the standard daytime rate. If it is safe to wait until normal hours, the job costs less.
Can A Snapped Key Be Copied Once It Is Removed?
Sometimes. If the extracted pieces fit back together, a locksmith may be able to cut a replacement from them or from the lock itself. Otherwise a new key is cut to the lock, usually for a small extra charge.
Why Do Keys Break In Locks?
Keys usually snap because the lock is worn, dry or misaligned and the key is forced to turn. Thin or heavily copied keys, and keys weakened by years of use, are the most likely to break. Regular lubrication and early repair of a stiff lock prevent most breakages.
