Keyed Alike or Keyed Different?

Would you like to open multiple doors with one key? Then keyed alike cylinders may be an interesting solution.

With keyed alike cylinders, multiple cylinders can be operated with the same key. With keyed different cylinders, each cylinder has its own key combination.

Whether keyed alike or keyed different cylinders are the right choice depends on the number of doors, how the doors are used and how you want the keys to be distributed.

What does keyed alike mean?

Keyed alike means that multiple cylinders can be opened and locked with the same key.

For example, you can fit multiple doors with keyed alike cylinders. One matching key can then be used to operate all the relevant doors.

This can be useful in a home with multiple entrance doors, but also in businesses, apartments, outbuildings or other situations where several cylinders are used by the same person.

This does not refer to the size of the cylinder. Two cylinders can have different sizes and still be keyed alike, as long as they are designed to work with the same key.

What is a keyed different cylinder?

With a keyed different cylinder, each cylinder has its own key combination.

A key for one cylinder will not work on another cylinder. This is also sometimes referred to as a non-keyed-alike cylinder.

This is a logical choice when you want doors to remain independently accessible and do not want one key to provide access to multiple doors.

For example, the front door can have a different key from a shed, storage room or office.

What is the difference between keyed alike and keyed different cylinders?

The main difference is the key operation.

With keyed alike cylinders, multiple cylinders can be operated with the same key. You therefore only need one key for several doors.

With keyed different cylinders, each cylinder has its own key. The key for door A will therefore not work on door B.

The choice mainly depends on whether you want to use one key for multiple doors or deliberately keep different keys.

When should you choose keyed alike cylinders?

Keyed alike cylinders are particularly useful when multiple doors are used by the same person or group of people.

For example:

• a home with a front and back door;
• a home with multiple entrance doors;
• a commercial building with several entrances;
• an office with multiple rooms;
• a home with a shed, garage or other accessible space;
• multiple doors within one building or on one property.

Instead of carrying a separate key for every door, you can use one key to operate multiple cylinders.

This can make everyday use considerably easier.

When should you choose keyed different cylinders?

Keyed different cylinders are useful when different doors should deliberately have separate access.

For example, a key for the front door does not automatically need to provide access to a storage room, office or other space.

This can be particularly useful when different people need access to different areas.

For a simple situation with one door, keyed alike is obviously not necessary. You only have one cylinder and therefore one corresponding key.

How does one key work with multiple cylinders?

With a keyed alike system, the cylinders are configured so that they can all be operated with the same key.

The cylinders do not all have to be the same size. For example, a 30/30 cylinder and a 30/45 cylinder can be part of the same keyed alike system, provided both cylinders are configured for the same key.

Different types of cylinders can also be combined within certain systems. For example, a double cylinder and a thumbturn cylinder may be combined.

Whether a specific combination is possible depends on the cylinder system used and the available versions.

What should you consider when choosing keyed alike cylinders?

When you want multiple cylinders to be keyed alike, it is important to determine in advance which doors and users should be part of the system.

Consider, among other things:

• the number of doors;
• the correct size of each cylinder;
• the desired cylinder type, such as double or thumbturn;
• which people should have access;
• the number of keys required;
• any requirements regarding certification and security;
• possible future expansion of the system.

For a small system, the choice is often straightforward. With multiple doors, users or different access rights, it may be advisable to create a key plan in advance.

Can existing cylinders be made keyed alike?

Not every existing cylinder can simply be made keyed alike.

A cylinder is linked to a specific key profile and cylinder system. If you want several existing cylinders to work with one key, the cylinders must therefore be suitable for the same system.

In some situations, cylinders can be recoded or adapted. In other cases, replacing them with new cylinders is the most practical solution.

If you already have multiple cylinders and want to operate them with one key, it is advisable to first check which cylinders and keys you currently use.

Combining keyed alike cylinders with thumbturn cylinders

A keyed alike system can in some situations be combined with thumbturn cylinders.

A thumbturn cylinder has key operation on the outside and a thumbturn on the inside. This means that the same key used to operate other cylinders can also be used on the outside of the thumbturn cylinder, provided the cylinder is part of the same keyed alike system.

This can be useful, for example, when you want thumbturn operation on the inside of some doors and key operation on both sides of other doors.

Whether a specific combination is possible depends on the selected cylinder system and available versions.

Keyed alike and emergency function

Keyed alike and an emergency function are two different cylinder features.

Keyed alike refers to whether multiple cylinders can be operated with the same key.

An emergency function refers to the ability to operate a cylinder from the other side when a key is already inserted on one side.

These features can be combined in certain situations, but this depends on the cylinder type and cylinder system used.

For more information about this function, see:

Emergency Function on Door Cylinders

Need help putting together multiple cylinders?

Would you like to fit multiple doors with cylinders that work with the same key? It is important to determine the right combination of cylinders, sizes and versions in advance.

For a small number of doors, this can often be put together quite easily. For larger or more complex situations, a key plan can help you keep track of the doors, cylinders and keys.

Would you like to know how to set up such a system?

See: Creating a Key Plan

If you already have an overview of the doors and know which cylinders you need, Javena can help determine the right versions and combinations.

What cylinder size do you need?

Keyed alike says nothing about the size of the cylinder.

Each door still needs to be fitted with a cylinder in the correct size. Depending on the door, sizes such as 30/30, 30/40, 35/45 or other combinations may be required.

Would you like to know how to determine the correct size?

See: Which Cylinder Size Do I Need?

You can also measure your existing cylinder first:

How to Measure a Door Cylinder

Which version is suitable for my situation?

The choice between keyed alike and keyed different cylinders mainly depends on how you want to organise access to different doors.

First, ask yourself:

• Do I want to open multiple doors with one key?
• Should certain doors have their own key?
• Which people should have access?
• Are there doors with different types of cylinders?
• Do I want to be able to expand the system later?

With one or a few doors, the choice is usually straightforward. With multiple doors and users, a well-designed key plan can provide a clear overview.

Still unsure? Javena is happy to help you determine the right solution.

Related information

• Security Hardware Buying Guide
• Which Cylinder Size Do I Need?
• How to Measure a Door Cylinder
• Thumbturn Cylinder vs Double Cylinder
• Emergency Function on Door Cylinders
• Creating a Key Plan
• Door Cylinders

Frequently asked questions

What does keyed alike mean?

Keyed alike means that multiple cylinders can be operated with the same key. This allows you to open and close multiple doors without needing a separate key for each door.

What does keyed different mean?

Keyed different means that each cylinder has its own key combination. A key for one cylinder will not work on another cylinder. This is also referred to as non-keyed-alike.

Do keyed alike cylinders all have the same size?

No. Cylinders within one keyed alike system can have different sizes. A 30/30 cylinder can, for example, be part of the same system as a 30/45 cylinder, provided both cylinders are configured for the same key.

Can one key work on multiple doors?

Yes. When the doors are fitted with cylinders configured for the same keyed alike system, multiple cylinders can be operated with the same key.

Can I use a thumbturn cylinder in a keyed alike system?

A thumbturn cylinder can be part of a keyed alike system, provided the relevant version is suitable. The outside can then be operated with the same key as the other cylinders within the system.

Can I make existing cylinders keyed alike?

This is not always possible. It depends on the cylinder type, key profile and cylinder system used. Existing cylinders can sometimes be adapted, but in other cases they need to be replaced with new cylinders.

Is keyed alike the same as a key plan?

No. Keyed alike describes the fact that multiple cylinders can be operated with the same key. A key plan goes further and specifies which keys provide access to which cylinders or doors.

Can a keyed alike cylinder also have an emergency function?

This may be possible with certain cylinders and systems. Keyed alike and an emergency function are different features. Whether they can be combined depends on the cylinder selected and the system used.

Is keyed alike more secure than keyed different?

Not automatically. Keyed alike mainly concerns convenience and key distribution. The level of security depends on several factors, including the cylinder, security hardware, door and overall security solution.