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How to Make an Elevator an Express Elevator Download ArticleExplore this Article methods 1 Using Button Codes and Other Methods 2 Using the Master Key Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by wikiHow Staff
Last Updated: February 19, 2025 Fact Checked
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. 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 410,106 times. Learn more...
Say you're on the first floor and your meeting is on the tenth. You get in the elevator, but you don't want it to stop because you'll be late. Here are some hacks to help get you to floor faster.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Using Button Codes and Other Methods
Download Article
1 Press and hold your floor. In some elevators, simply pressing your floor and holding it will do the trick. You have to hold the button all the way to your floor.[1]XResearch source
2 Use the "Close Door" button. When you get on the elevator, press the "Close Door" button. Often, this button will be two triangles pointing in towards each other. Continue holding the "Close Door" button as you push your floor. In some elevators, this combination will give you an express ride.
This combination often works on Otis, Desert, and Dover elevators.
Note that sometimes the "Close Door" button is just a placebo for impatient riders, so this trick may not work.
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3 Cancel other highlighted floors. In some elevators, you can cancel floors that have already been pressed. Of course, if people see you do so, they will probably not be very happy. Or, they may press their floor button again. [2]XResearch source
The simplest method is to double press the button, which works in Mitsubishi Electric. In other brands, such as Fujitec, pressing it five times works. Another method is to hold the "Open Door" button while pressing the floor button twice.[3]XResearch source
4 Use your foot. Some people suggest that you can use your foot to keep the door from opening. Simply put your foot on the middle of the elevator door, covering the edges of the door. In theory, the sole of your shoe will keep the door from opening on floors.[4]XResearch source
5 Ask your building manager. If you're cozy with your building manager, you may be able to get the secret elevator code from him or her. However, you may need to promise to use it only for good.[5]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Using the Master Key
Download Article
1 Ask for a copy of the master key. The master key will give you an express ride if you have one. Your building's manager should have a key, and if you have enough clout, you may be able to just ask for a copy of the key.[6]XResearch source
2 Ask your firefighter friends. Firefighters have master keys that work on most elevators, as they need them in case of emergency.[7]XResearch source If you know someone in the profession, you may be be able to convince him or her to give you a copy of the elevator's key.[8]XResearch source
However, understand that your firefighter friend is likely to be reluctant. Putting master keys in the hands of the public can be dangerous and possibly even illegal. Check the legality of having such a key in your area.
3 Check eBay. If you fail in your quest, you can also check eBay for master keys. You can look for all-access keys that should work in a variety of elevators. Most of these have four sides to work in multiple types of elevators.[9]XResearch source
Buying keys is somewhat of a legal gray area. Check to see if it's legal in your state before purchasing one.[10]XResearch source
However, to make sure the key you buy works on your elevator, you may need to do a little research. Look at the make and model of your elevator, which is usually listed inside the elevator. Use that information to find out what kind of key it takes.
4 Use the key. To use the key, insert it in the keyhole when you get in the elevator. You may need to try more than one if it's four-sided. Leave the key in. Push the button of your floor to get an express ride.[11]XResearch source
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Question Are master keys rare to collect? Does the building manager always give master keys? Adrian Top Answerer No, the master key is usually only given to the custodian and to maintenance workers. 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 2 Helpful 21
Question What if I cancel other highlighted floors, and the person riding with me gets angry? Community Answer Just apologize and ask them what floor they need, and then press the button for them. 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 9 Helpful 22
Question When elevator is idle, it seems to always return to the 10th floor. What's the trick? Tom De Backer Top Answerer Every elevator is programmed differently. Perhaps that is the middle floor of your building, giving it the smallest amount of reaction time to go to any floor. Perhaps that floor is the zero position of the engine controlling it, or it's the floor where most people get on and off. 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 5 Helpful 23
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Warnings
Realize that these hacks will not work on every elevator. In fact, some people contend that the code hacks do not work at all. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Use these hacks sparingly, especially in large office buildings, where there are busy people with places to be. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 410,106 times. 14 votes - 72% Co-authors: 41Updated: February 19, 2025 Views: 410,106 Categories: Business SkillsArticle SummaryX
To make an elevator an express elevator, simply hold down the button for your floor the whole ride so it won’t stop. Alternatively, hold down the “Close Door” button and push the button for your floor, which sometimes prevents the elevator from making other stops. If you know the building manager, you can also ask them for the secret elevator code to make it express. To learn how to use a master key to make your elevator go express, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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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: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer 14 votes - 72% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 41Updated: February 19, 2025 Views: 410,106
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Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Using Button Codes and Other Methods 2 Using the Master Key Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by wikiHow Staff 
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Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 410,106 times. 14 votes - 72% Co-authors: 41 Updated: February 19, 2025 Views: 410,106 Categories: Business Skills Article SummaryX
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1 Press and hold your floor. In some elevators, simply pressing your floor and holding it will do the trick. You have to hold the button all the way to your floor.[1] 
2 Use the "Close Door" button. When you get on the elevator, press the "Close Door" button. Often, this button will be two triangles pointing in towards each other. Continue holding the "Close Door" button as you push your floor. In some elevators, this combination will give you an express ride. 
3 Cancel other highlighted floors. In some elevators, you can cancel floors that have already been pressed. Of course, if people see you do so, they will probably not be very happy. Or, they may press their floor button again. [2] 
4 Use your foot. Some people suggest that you can use your foot to keep the door from opening. Simply put your foot on the middle of the elevator door, covering the edges of the door. In theory, the sole of your shoe will keep the door from opening on floors.[4] 
5 Ask your building manager. If you're cozy with your building manager, you may be able to get the secret elevator code from him or her. However, you may need to promise to use it only for good.[5] Advertisement 
1 Ask for a copy of the master key. The master key will give you an express ride if you have one. Your building's manager should have a key, and if you have enough clout, you may be able to just ask for a copy of the key.[6] 
2 Ask your firefighter friends. Firefighters have master keys that work on most elevators, as they need them in case of emergency.[7] If you know someone in the profession, you may be be able to convince him or her to give you a copy of the elevator's key.[8] 
3 Check eBay. If you fail in your quest, you can also check eBay for master keys. You can look for all-access keys that should work in a variety of elevators. Most of these have four sides to work in multiple types of elevators.[9] 
4 Use the key. To use the key, insert it in the keyhole when you get in the elevator. You may need to try more than one if it's four-sided. Leave the key in. Push the button of your floor to get an express ride.[11] Advertisement 
Adrian Top Answerer No, the master key is usually only given to the custodian and to maintenance workers. 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 2 Helpful 21 
Community Answer Just apologize and ask them what floor they need, and then press the button for them. 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 9 Helpful 22 
Tom De Backer Top Answerer Every elevator is programmed differently. Perhaps that is the middle floor of your building, giving it the smallest amount of reaction time to go to any floor. Perhaps that floor is the zero position of the engine controlling it, or it's the floor where most people get on and off. 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 5 Helpful 23 
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