How to Unlock a Safe: Combination Locks, Digital Locks & More

Your guide to safe-cracking so you can access your important documents, heirlooms, and surprise gifts

Co-authored by Robert Vallelunga and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: February 28, 2023 References

3-Wheel Combination Safe

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4-Wheel Combination Safe

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Digital and Key-Lock Safes

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Using a Locksmith

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

Safes are great at protecting your important documents and valuable items from theft and disasters. But when you want to access those items, it can be frustrating when your safe just won’t open. Whether you’ve forgotten your combination or you just can’t get the safe to unlock, we’ve got you covered: we’ll help you open up the most common types of safes and guide you on what to do if you’re still stuck. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get cracking!

Things You Should Know

3-number locks: Turn the dial left 3 times before the 1st number, right 2 times before the 2nd number, and left 1 time before the 3rd number.
4-number locks: Turn right 4 times before the 1st number, left 3 times before the 2nd number, right twice before the 3rd number, and left once before the 4th number.
If you can’t remember the combination to your safe, check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s paperwork.
If you can’t locate your combination or the lock is jammed or broken, visit a locksmith to access the safe.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

3-Wheel Combination Safe

1
Find the combination for your safe in your user’s manual. Most combination-locked safes come with a card that has the combination on it. Store the combination card in a safe place and try to memorize the combination as well.^{[1]
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- Many manufacturers can provide you with the combination for your safe if you lost the combination card and don’t know what it is. You will just have to provide documentation that you are the legal owner of the safe, like your receipt.
2
Turn the dial to the left past the 1st number 3 times, then stop on the number. Spin the dial to the left and count the number of times you pass the 1st number of the combo. Line the number up with the marker at the top of the dial after you pass it 3 times. Stop on the 1st number on your 3rd turn.^{[2]
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- If you’ve been trying to open the safe for a while, spin the dial to the left 3 times to reset the combination.
- Always refer to the owner’s manual of your safe first to verify what the procedure is to enter the combo.
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3
Turn the dial to the right past the 2nd number 2 times, then stop on the number. Rotate the dial to the right and be careful to only pass the 2nd number of the combo 2 times. Then line the number up with the marker at the top of the dial after your 2nd turn.^{[3]
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- If you accidentally pass the 2nd number more than twice, start the process from the beginning again.
4
Spin the dial to the left past the 3rd number 1 time, then stop on the number. Carefully spin the dial to the left and only pass the last number in the combo 1 time. Line up the last number of the combo with the index marker at the top of the dial after 1 turn.^{[4]
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- If you pass the 3rd number more than once by accident, enter the combo from the beginning.
5
Turn the dial to the right until it stops and the bolt retracts. When the dial stops you will hear the safe unlock with a “click.” You can now open the door of the safe.^{[5]
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- If the safe does not unlock, you probably made a mistake in the combination or in the process of entering it on the dial. Double-check the numbers and try it again.
6
Rotate the handle and pull the safe door towards you to open it. Most larger safes have a handle that you need to turn after you unlock it. Turn the handle counterclockwise after you complete the combination and pull the door carefully open.
- Safes generally have heavy doors, so make sure to open them slowly and stand away from them while you open the safe to avoid injury.
- Keep the handle turned all the way counterclockwise until you close the safe door again, or you may have to enter the combo again to close it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

4-Wheel Combination Safe

1
Find the combination for your safe in the original paperwork. Combination safes usually come with a combination card. Keep the combination card in a safe place where you can find it in case you forget the combo to your safe.^{[6]
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- If you lose the combination to your safe, then contact the manufacturer and see if they can provide you with the combo. Typically, you’ll have to show them your receipt as proof of ownership.
2
Turn the dial to the right past the 1st number 4 times, then stop on the number. Spin the dial to the right and count the number of times you pass the 1st number of the combo. Stop on the number after your 4th turn.^{[7]
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- If you’ve been attempting to open the safe for a while now, spin the dial to the left 4 times to reset it before continuing.
- Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for your safe to verify the procedure needed to open it.
3
Turn the dial to the left past the 2nd number 3 times, then stop on the number. Spin the dial to the left until you pass the 2nd number of the combo 3 times. Line the number up with the marker at the top of the dial after your 3rd turn.^{[8]
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- Rotate the dial slowly and be careful not to pass the number too many times or you will have to start over.
4
Turn the dial to the right past the 3rd number 2 times, then stop on the number. Rotate the dial to the right and pass the 3rd number of the combo twice. Line the number up with the marker at the top of the dial after your 2nd turn.^{[9]
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- If you pass the number more than twice, then start the combination over from the beginning.
5
Turn the dial to the left past the 4th number 1 time, then stop on the number. Spin the dial to the left and only pass the last number in the combo 1 time. Line up the 4th number with the index marker at the top of the dial to complete the combo.^{[10]
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- Be very careful on the last number of the combo not to pass it more than once!
6
Spin the dial to the right slowly until it stops and the bolt in the door retracts. You will hear the safe unlock when the dial stops. Now you’re ready to open the safe door.^{[11]
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- If the door of the safe does not unlock, then enter the combo again from the beginning. Double check the numbers in the combination and be careful not to pass any of them too many times.
7
Rotate the handle on the safe door and pull it carefully towards you to open it. Larger safes have a handle that you need to turn to open the door. Rotate the handle to the left after you have unlocked it and pull the door open.^{[12]
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- Don’t turn the handle back to the right until you are ready to lock the safe again or you might have to enter the combo over again.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Digital and Key-Lock Safes

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Punch in the code on the number pad to open a digital safe. Locate the code to your safe, or recall it from memory, and punch the numbers in on the keypad to open the safe. Pull the door open when it is unlocked.^{[13]
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- Pause for 1 second between each number that you enter to allow the system time to process the code. If there is an “enter” key, press this when you are finished entering the code.
- Most electronic safes have a code between 4 and 10 digits long.
2
Swipe your combo card and enter the code to open a card-swipe safe. Card-swipe safes require both a pre-programmed card and the code to open. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to program your combo card with a code, then swipe it and enter the code on the safe to open it.^{[14]
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- These types of safes make it very easy to reprogram the code if you need to, since everything is digital.
3
Put the key in and turn it to the left to open a key-lock safe. Line up the key with the lock correctly and insert it. Turn it counterclockwise and pull the door towards you to open the safe.^{[15]
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- If you lose your keys, contact the manufacturer to see if replacement keys are available.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using a Locksmith

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Find a trusted locksmith in your area if the safe won’t open. Check online or in your local phone book to find a reliable locksmith. Call them to make sure that they offer safe-opening services and find out what the fees are.^{[16]
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- The most common reason you might need a locksmith is because you have forgotten or lost the combination to your safe.
- Occasionally safes can also jam or become damaged, in which case you will require the services of a locksmith to get them open and repair them.
- Ask the locksmith if you will need to provide documentation to prove that you are the owner of the safe before they will open it.
2
Set an appointment with the locksmith to have them open your safe. Schedule a house call, or take your safe in to the locksmith if it is small enough to transport yourself. Make sure you have enough time for the scheduled appointment.^{[17]
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- Many locksmiths offer 24-hour services, in case you need something out of your safe urgently.
- If you are opening an old safe that is stuck shut, the locksmith may even be able to cut into the back of it and open it up that way.
3
Reset the combination and write it down in a safe place. Have the locksmith reset the combination on your safe. Store the new combo in a file cabinet or digitally where you can easily find it next time you need it.
- If you called a locksmith because your safe is jammed or broken, make sure they perform any necessary repairs and that it is functioning before they leave.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I open this type of combination: 3xl - 39, 2xr - 22, 1xl - 39?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Turn the dial to the left (counterclockwise or anticlockwise) at least three times past 39; then stop at 39. Turn the dial to the right (clockwise) two times past 22; then stop at 22. Turn the dial to the left (counterclockwise) once past 39; then stop at 39. Open the lock.
Question

How do you open a 3 digit safe?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Start by locating the combination. If you can't find it, check in the manufacturer's paperwork that comes with the safe. Turn the dial to the left past the 1st number 3 times, then stop on the number. Then, turn the dial to the right past the 2nd number 2 times, then stop on the number. Finally, turn the dial to the left past the 3rd number 1 time, then stop on the number. After that, slowly turn the dial to the right until it stops and the bolt retracts. When the dial stops you'll hear the safe unlock and you can open it up. Larger safes sometimes have a handle that you need to turn after you unlock it, so just turn it and pull the door open after you unlock it.
Question

How do you open a safe when you forgot the combination?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Unfortunately, if you forget your combination or you lose your key, the only way to get into your locked safe is to use a professional locksmith. Check online or in your local phone book to find a reliable locksmith. Call them to make sure that they offer safe-opening services and find out what the fees are. Schedule a house call, or take your safe in to the locksmith if it is small enough to transport yourself. Once the locksmith gets your safe open, they'll be able to reset the combination. Make sure you write it down! Keep the combination in a secure location so you don't lose it again and need to hire a locksmith in the future.