How to Open a Combination Lock

Co-authored by Ray Lawrence

Last Updated: June 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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A combination lock is useful for your school locker, gym locker, bike, or anything else that you'd like to keep safely locked up and away. Once you know your combination, opening a combination lock is very easy—just a couple turns to the left and right, and presto—the lock is open! If you want to know how to open a combination lock, just follow these steps.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Buying your Combination Lock

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Combination locks can be found at most hardware, home improvement, and sports stores across the US. Some stores that sell combination locks are The Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, Modell's, Staples, and Walmart.
2
Find the combination on the sticker on the back of the lock. Most of the time, your new combination lock will come with a sticker on the back of the lock, telling you your lock's combination. Remove the sticker carefully. Write down the combination and throw out the sticker -- you don't want to leave the sticker around in case someone else finds it and knows it's the combination to a lock.^{[1]
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- Start memorizing your new locker combination. This will make it easier for you to consistently open the lock.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Opening the Combination Lock

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Turn the dial to the right. This clears the lock and resets it so that it's ready to open.^{[2]
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The marker or line should be at the top of the dial, pointing to the twelve o'clock position. In many cases, it will be red. The first number on this lock's combination is 36, so you should stop turning the dial when the marker points to that number.^{[3]
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Spin it counterclockwise one full turn, past the first number (36), then stop at the second number—in this case, 10.^{[4]
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Finally, turn the dial clockwise again and stop at the last number on the sticker—1.^{[5]
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5
Open the lock. Pull up the shackle at the top of the lock, and it should open right up. You can also hold on to the shackle and pull down the lock.
- If it doesn't open, repeat the process from the beginning. Once you've partially engaged the tumblers, you should clear out the lock before trying again.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Locking the Combination Lock

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Spin the shackle around so that the opened portion is above the hole, and push it into the opening at the top of the lock.
Turn the dial in any direction for three turns. It doesn't matter what number you stop on. This process will disengage the tumblers and will make it so that you'll have to start all over again with the first number if you want to open it.
Make sure it's locked by pulling on the lock or shackle. If it opens, lock it again.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I open a multiple combination lock when I don't know the code?

Community Answer

Hold your thumb as hard as you can at the top. Go slowly through all the numbers and you will feel a click when it's the right number.

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Question

Do I have to turn it clockwise 3 times every time I use it or just the first time?

Community Answer

Do it every time.

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What do I do if my combination lock won't open?

Community Answer

If you're at school, try it once or twice more. If it still doesn't open, ask a nearby teacher for help.

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Tips

You don't have to touch the number exactly, you can be about two numbers off before it won't click in the lock's inner workings.

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Placing tension on the shackle (the U-shaped part that holds the thing you want to lock) will place more friction on the mechanics of the lock. Just leave the shackle alone and you'll open the lock smoothly.

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If you mess up, keep trying. It'll come to you sooner or later.

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