Locks: How to Choose the Right Lock for Your Door, Gate, or Cabinet

Updated

Start by matching the lock to what it secures, then narrow down by keying and dimensions. Padlocks fit gates, hasps, and storage; cam locks fit cabinets and enclosures; door locks and closers fit entry doors. Once the type is right, the deciding factors are keying (keyed alike, keyed different, master keyed, or key control), material and weather resistance, and whether the lock physically fits the existing hole, door thickness, or hasp. Buying from a supplier that also stocks key blanks and repair parts keeps the lock serviceable instead of disposable.

Match the lock type to the application

Application Lock type What to check
Gates, sheds, storage, hasps Padlock Shackle diameter and height, body width, material
Cabinets, enclosures, furniture, utility panels Cam lock Cam length and rotation, mounting hole size, keyway
Entry and interior doors Door locks and door closers Door thickness, backset, handing, closer size
Existing hardware needing service Repair parts, key blanks, rekeying Compatibility with the current cylinder or keyway

Padlocks are the most flexible option because they work with any hasp or staple. Mr. Lock's padlock listings show the dimensions that matter in practice: the American Lock A1105 series uses a 1-1/2 in (38 mm) wide aluminum body with a 1 in (25 mm) tall, 1/4 in (6 mm) diameter shackle, while the Abloy PL330/25T uses a case-hardened steel body with a 1 in case-hardened boron steel shackle. Those numbers decide whether the lock fits your hasp and how much cutting resistance you get.

Cam locks are the right choice when the lock mounts through a panel rather than hanging on a hasp. They are common on cabinets, enclosures, and furniture, and they are keyed to small keyways such as the ESP ES8 or the Yale IN8/Y11 profile.

Decide on keying before you buy

Keying is usually the hardest part to change later, so settle it first.

  • Keyed alike (KA): multiple locks open with the same key. Useful for one person managing several gates or cabinets. Mr. Lock lists KA packs such as the Mul-T-Lock 206SP-TR100-A(4) round puck padlock, supplied keyed alike with 8 working keys.
  • Keyed different (KD): each lock has its own key. Better when different people should not open each other's locks. The American Lock A1105 KD red padlock is sold this way in a 6-pack.
  • Master keyed / grand master keyed: a hierarchy where a master key opens a group and individual keys open only their own lock. Mr. Lock's key shop states it can supply master keyed or grand master keyed hardware and padlocks.
  • Key control: restricted keyways that limit who can get duplicates. The Mul-T-Lock listing notes key control as a feature, which matters if you do not want unauthorized copies made.

If you are unsure, keyed alike is convenient for a single site, keyed different is safer for multi-tenant use, and master keying is for facilities that need both.

Check security level and weather resistance

For outdoor use, prioritize shackle and body material over body size.

  • Boron alloy or boron steel shackles resist cutting better than standard steel. The American Lock A1105 uses a chrome-plated boron alloy shackle; the Abloy PL330/25T uses case-hardened boron steel.
  • Case-hardened steel bodies suit high-security padlocks, while anodized aluminum bodies are lighter and corrosion-resistant but easier to cut.
  • Puck-style padlocks such as the Mul-T-Lock 206SP leave little exposed shackle, which limits bolt-cutter and saw access.
  • Indoor cabinet and cam locks generally do not need weather-rated materials, so spend the budget on keying and fit instead.

Verify dimensions and mounting before ordering

Most returns on locks come from a mismatch that a tape measure would have caught.

  1. Measure the hasp or staple opening for a padlock, then compare it to the shackle diameter and height.
  2. For a cam lock, measure the mounting hole diameter, panel thickness, and the cam length needed to reach the latch.
  3. For a door lock or closer, confirm door thickness, backset, and handing.
  4. Check the keyway profile if you are matching an existing key, using the compatibility notes in the listing.

Mr. Lock publishes a padlock dimensions line diagram with terminology and common uses, which is the fastest way to confirm which measurement a spec refers to.

Plan for keys, rekeying, and replacement parts

A lock is only as useful as its ability to be maintained. Before buying, check that the supplier stocks:

  • Key blanks for your keyway, so duplicates stay possible. Mr. Lock lists blanks such as the ESP ES8 for cam locks, the ESP IN8 for Yale IN8/Y11, and the Master Lock 81KM for some Master Lock padlocks and locker locks, with compatibility cross-references to Ilco numbers.
  • Rekeying service, which Mr. Lock offers for padlocks, so existing hardware can be re-pinned to a new key instead of replaced.
  • Repair parts for door hardware and closers.

Buying locks and their key blanks from the same source avoids the common problem of owning a lock nobody can cut a key for.

A practical buying sequence

  1. Name what the lock secures: gate, cabinet, or door.
  2. Pick the lock type for that application.
  3. Decide keying: alike, different, master keyed, or key controlled.
  4. Match material and security level to indoor or outdoor exposure.
  5. Confirm dimensions against the hasp, hole, or door.
  6. Check that key blanks and parts are available for the keyway you chose.

Working in that order keeps you from buying a high-security padlock that does not fit your hasp, or a cabinet lock you cannot get keys for.