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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
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Home and Garden
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Home Security
Locks and Keys
How to Open a Combination Lock Download ArticleExplore this Article methods 1 Buying your Combination Lock 2 Opening the Combination Lock 3 Locking the Combination Lock Other Sections Questions & Answers VideoWATCH NOW Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Ray Lawrence
Last Updated: September 18, 2025 Fact Checked
Download Article ARTICLE VIDEO X
This article was co-authored by Ray Lawrence. Ray Lawrence is a Locksmith and the Owner of NorCal Locksmith in the Placer County, California area. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in residential, commercial, and safe locksmithing services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Economics from the University of California-Chico. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 4,054,102 times.
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.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Buying your Combination Lock
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1 Buy a combination lock. Combination locks can be found at most hardware, home improvement, and sports stores across the US.[1]X Expert Source Ray LawrenceLocksmithExpert Interview 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.[2]XResearch source
Start memorizing your new locker combination. This will make it easier for you to consistently open the lock.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Opening the Combination Lock
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1 Turn the dial on the lock clockwise three times. Turn the dial to the right. This clears the lock and resets it so that it's ready to open.[3]XResearch source
2 Stop turning when the marker points to the first number of the combination. 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.[4]XResearch source
3 Turn the dial back to the left for one full turn. Spin it counterclockwise one full turn, past the first number (36), then stop at the second number—in this case, 10.[5]XResearch source
4 Turn the dial to the right. Finally, turn the dial clockwise again and stop at the last number on the sticker—1.[6]XResearch source
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.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Locking the Combination Lock
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1 Insert the shackle. 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.
2 Spin the dial. 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.[7]XResearch source
3 Test it. Make sure it's locked by pulling on the lock or shackle. If it opens, lock it again.
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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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 158 Helpful 382
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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 72 Helpful 172
Question 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 103 Helpful 169
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Tips
If your lock is not opening even if you tried more than one time just check if it's not hard when you're turning it, if it is hard then you need a new lock.[8]X Expert Source Ray LawrenceLocksmithExpert InterviewThanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
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. Thanks Helpful 24 Not Helpful 23
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. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 19
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Things You'll Need
A combination lock
Something to open the packaging of the lock
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Co-authored by: Ray Lawrence Locksmith This article was co-authored by Ray Lawrence. Ray Lawrence is a Locksmith and the Owner of NorCal Locksmith in the Placer County, California area. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in residential, commercial, and safe locksmithing services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Economics from the University of California-Chico. This article has been viewed 4,054,102 times. 70 votes - 72% Co-authors: 60Updated: September 18, 2025 Views: 4,054,102 Categories: Locks and KeysArticle SummaryX
If you need to open a combination lock, start by turning the dial on the lock clockwise (to the right) 3 times. Stop turning when the marker or line points to the first number of the combination. The marker or line is often red and will be at the top of the dial. Then, turn the dial counterclockwise (to the left) for 1 full turn, passing the first number of the combination, and stopping at the second number of the combination. Finally, turn the dial clockwise (to the right) and stop at the last number of the combination. Pull up the shackle at the top of the lock and the locker should open right up. If the locker doesn't open for you, repeat the process from the beginning and go a little slower this time to make sure you input the correct combination numbers. If the locker still won't open, the combination you have for the locker may be incorrect. For more tips, including how to properly close the lock, scroll down!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Bets Poster
Dec 17, 2021
"I could not open this combo lock for the life of me. It took me a month of trial and error and getting frustrated (mostly because I'm dumb). But anyway, I was beyond floored when the lock opened thanks to this article! Thank you."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Ray Lawrence Locksmith 70 votes - 72% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 60Updated: September 18, 2025 Views: 4,054,102
Bets Poster
Dec 17, 2021
"I could not open this combo lock for the life of me. It took me a month of trial and error and getting frustrated (mostly because I'm dumb). But anyway, I was beyond floored when the lock opened thanks to this article! Thank you."..." more
Tashfiqul Islam
Aug 16, 2021
"It helped to learn more about easy household things. I mean we all know how hard it is unlocking a combination lock."..." more
Lucretia
Aug 25, 2022
"It helped because I now know everything about locks. And how to open a locker."
Ruben J.
Aug 18, 2023
"It helped me turn on my locker, and to know the combinations of the lock."
Cayden Shackleford
Sep 1, 2020
"It helped me because I never know how to do it, so this helped me out." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Buying your Combination Lock 2 Opening the Combination Lock 3 Locking the Combination Lock Other Sections Questions & Answers VideoWATCH NOW Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Ray Lawrence 
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Co-authored by: Ray Lawrence Locksmith This article was co-authored by Ray Lawrence. Ray Lawrence is a Locksmith and the Owner of NorCal Locksmith in the Placer County, California area. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in residential, commercial, and safe locksmithing services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Economics from the University of California-Chico. This article has been viewed 4,054,102 times. 70 votes - 72% Co-authors: 60 Updated: September 18, 2025 Views: 4,054,102 Categories: Locks and Keys Article SummaryX
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1 Buy a combination lock. Combination locks can be found at most hardware, home improvement, and sports stores across the US.[1] Some stores that sell combination locks are The Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, Modell's, Staples, and Walmart. 
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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 158 Helpful 382 
Community Answer Do it every time. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 72 Helpful 172 
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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 103 Helpful 169 
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