Are Vending Machine Keys Universal? Different Types of Vending Keys

Among the most popular line of questions regarding vending machines are inquiries about their keys and security.

This includes questions like “how secure is a vending machine lock?” or “are vending machine keys universal?”

No, vending machine keys aren’t universal. Vending machine keys come in different types and designs. However, even among the same type, each key is designed to be unique and open locks that carry the same codes

Whether you have a vending machine and you want to make sure that it’s safely locked or you’re curious to know how vending machine keys work, this article will answer all your questions!

RELATED READ: How to Open a Vending Machine Without a Key: A Step-by-Step Guide 

Are All Vending Machine Keys Universal?

A universal key is any key that can open just about any lock that belongs to the same type of item. 

In other words, if vending machines have a universal key, just about anyone in the world would be able to open any vending machine out there just because he is holding that key.

Of course, this is not the case, as this would put all vending machines at the risk of being robbed day and night, causing huge losses to vending machine owners. In fact, all vending machines have unique keys that are compatible with their own locks. 

While these keys might look similar at first glance, the pattern on the keys varies enough so that a key from vending machine (a) isn’t able to unlock vending machine (b), while a key from (b) isn’t able to unlock vending machine (a).

What Are the Different Types of Vending Machine Keys?

In addition to not being universal, vending machine keys also come in various types, although some of them are vastly more common than others. In this section, we’ll take a quick look at the different types of vending machine keys:

1. Barrel Key

This one is the most popular type of vending machine key and also the most commonly used. Barrel keys are also called tubular keys due to their design.

A barrel key has a cylindrical shaft with a hollow center and grooves on the outside. Each barrel key will have unique grooves in its design that are compatible with grooves in the barrel lock.

When the key and the lock meet, the grooves and dents meet in a way that allows the key to rotate the lock and depress the back tap, unlocking the vending machine door.

2. Flat Key

Flat keys are similar to standard door keys that we use for our house. However, the shaft in vending machine keys are usually shorter and have teeth on both sides for extra security, although keys with a set of teeth on only one side also exist.

These keys are more common in older vending machines, although some modern brands may use them with grooves and dents in the shaft rather than teeth.

In addition to these two, there are old vending machines keys that aren’t used anymore due to a lack of security. This includes the screw locks, which are opened simply using a flathead screwdriver and were mainly used in gumball machines rather than standard vending machines.

Do Vending Machine Keys Have Codes?

Vending machines will usually display the key code on the key handle on one side. This key is usually a short combination of letters and numbers and is relatively unique for each vending machine.

The code on a vending machine lock might be different from the one on the key for security reasons but they’re complementary to each other.

You can contact the manufacturer to order a new key for your vending machine but you’ll need the code written on the key, not the one on the lock.

The lock manufacturers randomize their keys and locks and distribute them in a way to make sure that no two sets of keys in a certain region or state are alike because in that case, the same key can be used to unlock two different vending machines.

In some cases, a person who owns multiple vending machines might order multiple locks that can be all unlocked with the same key, so they only have to carry one key. However, even in that case, this key is labeled as a “master key” but not a universal one.

What Can You Do If You Lost Your Vending Machine Key?

If you lost your key there are two ways to unlock your vending machine, which depend on whether you have the code to your vending machine key or not.

Here’s what you can do in either case:

1. If You Have the Code

If you have the keycode written down, you can contact the manufacturer and request a replacement key. 

However, this method depends on the key brand’s policy in issuing keys without the original one , and in most cases, you’ll need to submit proof of ownership before getting the key.

2. If You Don’t Have the Code

If you don’t have the code and you want to access your vending machine, your only solution left is to drill the lock and replace it with a new one: here’s how to do this properly:

1. Measure 1/4 inches on the tip of a 1/4 and a 1/8 drill bits and mark them with electrical tape for accuracy.
2. Use the smaller bit (1/8 inches) and drill a guide hole in the center of the lock and make sure that you don’t cross the electrical tape line on the drill bit.
3. Attach the 1/4 inch bit instead of the 1/8 inch one and repeat the same process through the guide hole.
4. Remove the broken barrel lock and attach a new one in its place.

Wrap Up

There you have it! A brief answer to the popular question “are vending machine keys universal?”, and as you can see, the simple answer here is no.

A universal key should unlock every single vending machine out there. However, every vending machine has a specific lock that can only be unlocked by keys with the same keycode, so you don’t have to worry about that!

If you’ve lost your keys, the only solution is to drill the lock in order to replace it with a new barrel-type one with a new set of compatible keys.