How to Pick a Pin Tumbler Lock

A pin tumbler lock is the most common type of lock you see on doors to a house. It's actually a very simple design that is not difficult to pick. When the right key is inserted into the pin tumbler lock, it pushes up a series of pins that allow the lock to turn in the direction it needs to open. I shouldn't have to say this but I'm going to anyway; you should only use this technique to pick your own locks like, if you get locked out of your house. Do not use this information to break into someone's house, because, of course, you will get arrested and go to jail, which won't be fun at all.

You only need two tools to pick a lock, here they are:

2 paperclips

1 tension wrench

If you are lazy and you feel like spending a couple extra bucks, you can also buy a lock picking kit from just about any hardware store. A lock picking kit will just be a more sophisticated set of tools similar to the paperclips and tension wrench, but they basically do the same exact thing.

Step #1. Get out your tension wrench and insert the tip of it into the bottom of the lock's keyhole.

Step #2. Slightly turn the tension wrench from left to right until you can feel which direction is giving you the most give. The direction with the most give is the way the lock needs to be turned to open.

Step #3. Take one of your paperclips and straighten it out. Then bend tiny grooves along the straightened paper clip so it kind of looks like a bobby pin.

Step #4. Insert the paperclip into the top of the lock's keyhole, just above the tension wrench.

Step #5. Push and pull the paperclip back and forth in the keyhole. You should feel it rubbing against the pins. This is called "raking the lock." Make sure you are still turning the tension wrench in the direction it needs to go to open the lock while you are doing this and throughout the following steps. Raking the lock should push up a couple or a few of the pins, which will make the next step easier.

Step #6. Take your other paperclip, straighten it out, and bend the tip of it at a right angle (90 degree angle).

Step #7. Insert the paperclip into the keyhole, just above the tension wrench. Push it all the way to the back of the keyhole, and fiddle around with it until you feel the first pin.

Step #8. Once you have located the first pin, push it up with the paperclip. Then continue to push up each pin.

After you have pushed up each pin, you should be able to turn the tension wrench all the way and open the lock.