Can You Open a Locked Door with a Credit Card?

If you know anything about Hollywood and its movies in the last two decades or so, then you will have seen someone open a locked door with a credit card at least once. A locked door appears, but it’s never a match for the credit card someone has on them. They slide it into the door frame, wiggle it back and forth a little, and open pops the door. No lockpicking is involved, and it takes just a few seconds to do it.

If you’ve lost your keys (or have a door that self-locks and you’ve closed yourself out), you might turn to Google. If you’re familiar with the movie scenes mentioned above, you might search, is it possible to open a locked door with a credit card? In this article, we will tell you all there is to know about opening a locked door with a credit card, and whether or not you should give it a try!

Can You Open a Locked Door with a Credit Card?

Here’s what you should know about opening a locked door with a credit card.

Is it possible?

Yes, it’s entirely possible to open a locked door with nothing but a credit card. Although it doesn’t even take any skill, the success you will have trying to open a door with a credit card will depend on the type of lock.

While you might be able to unlock a door with a credit card, this method doesn’t work on any push-and-pull type of doors.

Nonetheless, if your door has a swivel knob, then this method is much more likely to work. If your door closes with a catch (such as glass sliding doors), then this method might also have some success. However, it does not always work.

How to Open a Locked Door with a Credit Card

If you’re locked out and you’re lucky enough to have your credit card on you, this method is about as easy as the movies show you. Using a credit card to unlock a door is all about the mechanism that closes the door to the frame. For swivel locks, all it takes is for you to insert the card at the correct angle.

Push the card, and rotate the knob. Catch the angle just right, and the door should pop open!

Does the door open and close with a catch? If so, then you might be able to get the catch to release with the same method.

Usually, it can take a couple of tries to work. The idea is to create a gap where the lock meets the door – just enough for it to release.

If it works, great. If it doesn’t work, then it is best to get in touch with your local locksmith.

How to Open a Locked Door Without a Credit Card

If you don’t have a credit card on you (or it’s a different type of lock), there are other ways to open a locked door without a credit card.

Did you get the key stuck in the door? If so, try to jam it loose by sticking something through until the key falls out. Usually, you will be able to pull a key through the underside of the door if this works.

To avoid ruining your door and the door lock, we suggest contacting a local locksmith before trying to pick a lock on your own or using a credit card to unlock the door.

Additional Reading: How Do Locksmiths Open Car Doors?

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