7 Essential Escape Room Locks Revealed! And The Secrets Of How To Use Them

Escape rooms always have many clues and mysteries to solve. Many of them revolve around using many different locks. However, escape rooms typically do not give instructions on how to operate the locks they use. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered in this article.

Whether or not you are trying to design an escape room or simply attempt one. There are several essential locks you should be aware of. Here you will learn how to use these essential escape room locks as well as the pros and cons of each of them. 

1. Combination Locks

Combination Locks are the most commonly used lock found in escape rooms next to the standard key lock. Commonly referred to as “Combo” locks. Combination locks typically have a line engraved on the sides of a lock that will act as an indicator for where to line up your combination. The combination will be letters, numbers, or a mix of both.

Combination locks have many variants but they almost always have a combination that is only 3-5 digits/letters. Some combination locks come with a limited set of pre-determined combinations that are not customizable. These work well but restrict you on the combination choices. I suggest buying a combination lock that has swappable letter/number pieces so you can choose the exact combination that works for you.  

Pros:

• Easily Resettable
• Easy to operate 
• Highly Customizable
• Easy to assemble

Cons:

• Comes apart easily
• Can become “sticky” over time. (Harder to open)

Buy Combination Locks on Amazon! Click Here for my suggestion.

2. Directional Lock

Directional locks are probably the most confusing lock found in escape rooms.

How to use: Directional locks have a button in the front that acts like a joystick on a gaming controller or an arcade machine. The button can slide up, down, left, and right. The sequence can vary from as little as 3 inputs to as many as 30 inputs. If a mistake is made while entering the combination; then the lock must be reset by squeezing on the shackle (at the top) 2 times in order to start the combination over. 

Pros:

• Can be used for a wide variety of combo options (comes with arrows but stickers are included that can make color combos or symbol combos as well)
• Can be set from 3-30 inputs in length for combination flexibility
• Easy to reset 

Cons: 

• Most people don’t know how to use them
• Sliding buttons can become “sticky” over time.
• Shackle can become “sticky” (hard to pull) over time.  
• Stickers are high maintenance as they will fade or peel off over time

Buy Directional Locks on Amazon! Click here for my suggestion.

(Note: Directional Locks recently stopped being manufactured Master Lock so this link may break or the lock may be costly to purchase.)

3. Dial Lock

Dial Locks, aka school locker locks, are locks that require a 3-number combination using a rotary dial. 

How to use: The dial lock opens by rotating the dial 3 full rotations to the right to reset. Once reset make sure to land on the first number of the combination. Once the first number is entered rotate the dial to the left and pass the 2nd number the first time it comes around and stop on it the next time it comes around. Finally, rotate the dial to the right and stop on the 3rd number the first time it comes around. Pull on the lock and the shackle should open. 

Pros:

• Great for using time on a clock as a combination
• Satisfying to open
• Comes preset (No assembly required)

Cons:

• The combination cannot be changed
• Difficult to operate due to the specific amount of rotations
• Shackle can become “sticky” over time (Hard to open)

Buy Dial Locks on Amazon! Click Here for my suggestion.

4. Number Pad Lock

Number pad locks can be found in many places in escape rooms, perhaps on a door, a cabinet, or a safe. Number pads are very similar to combination locks in that you must find numbers in a certain sequence. 

How to use: Punch the correct number sequence onto the pad to open the lock. Usually, you will have to press the pound symbol (#) before or after you enter the combination. Pay attention to any extra notes the escape room may provide to let you know what you need to do exactly. 

Pros:

• Satisfying to open
• Gives a “high tech” feel to a room
• Easy to use 

Cons:

• Expensive
• Set up requires technical skills
• Requires power source

Buy Number Pad Locks on Amazon! Click Here for my suggestion.

5. Puzzle “Houdini” Lock

Puzzle locks, also known as Houdini locks, are trick locks that have a puzzle within the lock itself. They usually appear like a regular key lock, but looks can be deceiving. 

How to use: The puzzle is probably a secret or hidden keyhole. Typically, there will be a button, lever, or switch somewhere on the lock. Once activated it will reveal the “true” keyhole to open the lock. 

Pros:

• Unique
• Challenging to open
• Satisfying to solve
• Highly durable

Cons:

• Expensive
• Hard to find
• Keys cannot be copied

Buy “Houdini” Trick Locks on Amazon! Click here for my suggestion.

6. Key Locks

The simple classic key lock. People love looking around for hidden keys in escape rooms. Even though key locks are simple and easy to use it’s always exciting to find a mysterious key to open a lock to find what is inside.  

How to open: Find the key for the lock. Insert the key and twist. The lock will pop open. 

Pros: 

• Easy to use for all ages
• No assembly required
• Easy to reset
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Keys can be lost
• Keys cannot be copied (usually)
• Not very challenging 

Buy Key Locks on Amazon! Click Here for my suggestion.

7. Magnetic Locks

Magnetic locks are a more high-tech option that will allow for some exciting moments and surprises inside the escape room. Magnetic locks could allow for a bookshelf to open up slowly to reveal the secret room or a door to open. 

How to use: Magnetic locks are designed to have power drawn to two magnets to suck them together and make them inseparable. When certain conditions are met via other sensors or contents (buttons, levers, or switches) the power can turn off to allow the magnets to separate. 

Pros:

• High potential for many exciting uses
• Highly effective locks (not easy to cheat)
• Durable

Cons:

• Expensive
• Complex set up
• Requires some electrical knowledge
• Do not work without power
• Magnetic bonds can weaken over time

Buy Magnetic Locks on Amazon! Click here for my suggestion.