How Much Does Minute Key Cost?

Last Updated on September 12, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow – Economic & Pricing Investigator | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Educational content; not financial advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rates, fees, taxes, and terms with providers or official sources.

MinuteKey is a bright-green, self-service kiosk that copies keys without a clerk. Found in stores like Walmart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot, these vending-style machines have grown in popularity for their convenience. Users insert a key, the machine scans it, and in under a minute, a duplicate slide out.

But how much does that convenience cost?

Whether you’re a landlord making spares or just locked yourself out, the price of a duplicate key can vary depending on where and how you make it. Below, we’ll break down the actual MinuteKey cost, offer real-life examples from shoppers across the U.S., and show how it compares to locksmiths and other key-copying kiosks.

Article Insights

• MinuteKey costs average $2–$4 per key
• Cheapest observed price: $1.49 with coupon
• Decorative keys may reach $4.99+
• Machines found at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s
• Not compatible with car or high-security keys
• Promo codes and bulk discounts reduce cost
• No refunds for misaligned or faulty duplicates

How Much Does MinuteKey Cost?

MinuteKey cost is generally simple and most users pay $2 to $4 per standard key, depending on the type, location, and current promotions. The lowest reported price is $1.49, while the upper end can exceed $5 for decorative or specialty blanks.

For standard residential brass keys, the average is $3.00 as of August 2025, according to in-store shoppers and verified kiosk listings. Machines often display the exact price once a key is inserted and identified. Some also offer a “buy two, get one free” deal or limited-time coupons.

Pricing varies slightly by retailer. Walmart and Home Depot may set their own kiosk fee structure in partnership with MinuteKey, leading to minor differences even within the same city.

Sparrow Supply notes that these self-service kiosks are often located in high-traffic retail stores such as Walmart and Home Depot, offering convenient, on-the-spot key duplication using robotic and laser-cutting technology. Prices can range from approximately $2 to $6, depending on the key type and location.

ArtofLockpicking says that Minute Key kiosks typically copy common residential keys such as Schlage, Kwikset, Weiser, Baldwin, Titan, and Masterlock padlock keys. However, they do not duplicate high-security keys, car keys with chips, or keys marked “Do Not Duplicate.” The key duplication process usually takes about two minutes, and kiosks accept credit and debit cards but generally do not accept cash.

According to Reddit users, customers often find MinuteKey pricing competitive compared to locksmiths and hardware stores, which may charge more, especially for complex or specialty keys. For basic key copies, MinuteKey pricing starts around $3, while other hardware stores might charge between $1.99 and $6. Some users report paying $4 to $5 per key copy at Home Depot locations with MinuteKey kiosks.

Real-Life Cost Examples

Real-world data from customers paints a clear picture of what MinuteKey charges at different locations:

• San Antonio, TX – A customer paid $2.99 at a Walmart for a basic house key (Kwikset blank).
• Los Angeles, CA – A Home Depot shopper reported $3.99 for a Schlage-branded key in April 2025.
• Cincinnati, OH – A coupon from minutekey.com reduced the cost to $1.99 after scanning a promo barcode.
• Phoenix, AZ – A consumer tried a decorative colored key (paw print design) and was charged $4.99.

Some machines refuse to duplicate worn or specialty keys, which prevents error-prone copies. These examples reflect consumer purchases on retail machines—not locksmith counters or mobile apps.

Cost Breakdown

So, what’s baked into that $2–$4 fee? While it may look like a simple machine, several elements contribute to the final price:

• Key blank material: Most MinuteKey duplicates use brass blanks, which cost $0.20–$0.50 in bulk, but novelty options can raise this cost to $1 or more.
• Cutting process: The machine uses laser guidance and barcode scanners to ensure precision, justifying its mark-up over hardware store hand-cuts.
• Machine overhead: Kiosk maintenance, restocking, and licensing all factor into the built-in service fee.
• Promotions & taxes: Some states include sales tax in the price. Others don’t. A $2.99 fee in-store might ring up as $3.22 after tax.

You might also like our articles about the cost of copying a key, the cost of a key at KeyMe, or the price of a fingerprint scanner.

There’s no separate labor charge, of course, but the price reflects a bundled self-service model that offsets retail space, technology, and distribution.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Several factors shape what you’ll pay at a MinuteKey machine:

1. Store Location – Walmart kiosks often charge $0.50–$1 less than those at Home Depot or Lowe’s.
2. Key Type – Brass keys are cheapest. Colored, sports-themed, or novelty shapes (hearts, pets, etc.) usually add $1–$2.
3. Region – Prices in New York and California trend higher than those in Texas or Ohio, with up to a 15–20% difference.
4. Promotions – Machines occasionally offer “buy two, get one free” deals or coupons that drop the per-key cost below $2.
5. Volume – Bulk duplication (3+ keys) can reduce per-key cost if bundled deals are offered, though not all kiosks support this.

Kiosks in high-rent areas or flagship retail locations may subtly price higher to absorb operating costs.

Alternative Products or Services

How does Minute Key stack up against the competition?

MinuteKey wins on price and convenience for basic needs, but lags behind on compatibility. If you need a chip key or unusual cut, a locksmith or KeyMe kiosk may be your only option.

Ways to Spend Less

There are a few smart ways to reduce MinuteKey costs:

• Use Online Promo Codes: Visit minutekey.com before your visit. Codes like “BUY1GET1” or seasonal discounts often drop prices by 25–50%.
• Duplicate in Bulk: Most kiosks allow up to 6 keys per session. Some offer discounts after 3+ copies.
• Look for In-Store Coupons: Walmart and Lowe’s occasionally include kiosk offers in circulars or printouts near self-checkout.
• Go Off-Peak: Machines restocked in the morning are more likely to offer deals or free key promotions on slow days.

Frequent users, such as landlords, may want to time visits around restocks to ensure blank availability.

Expert Insights & Tips

According to Chris Nunez, a hardware supervisor at a Home Depot in Tampa (interviewed July 2025), MinuteKey is best used “for standard home locks—not office or security keys. It’s great for convenience, but not 100% accurate every time.”

Ronald Vega, a licensed locksmith in San Diego, adds that the machine “sometimes refuses worn or bent keys, which saves people from bad copies—but annoys those in a rush.”

For higher accuracy, choose newer key originals. MinuteKey uses a scan-and-match system that can misalign worn-down edges. If the machine rejects your key, it’s likely a protection mechanism and not a bug.

Total Cost of Ownership

For users who duplicate keys regularly, such as landlords, Airbnb hosts, or real estate agents, MinuteKey can serve as a scalable option. Consider this sample:

• 10 keys/month × $2.99 = $29.90
• Over a year: $358.80
• Versus locksmith visits at $4.50/key: $540 annually

In regions where labor rates are higher, or when scheduling is difficult, the kiosk becomes the faster, cheaper long-term solution.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

MinuteKey offers no refunds. If your key doesn’t work, there’s no clerk to ask. Some customers have reported misaligned cuts, particularly with off-center originals or damaged edges.

Other potential issues:

• Re-cuts at a locksmith may cost another $3–$5
• Unscannable keys (e.g., chipped car keys, office badges) are rejected with no alternate offered
• Barcode misreads may produce errors, though these are rare

Always test your key before leaving the store if possible.

Key Types & Compatibility

MinuteKey supports standard residential and padlock keys, including:

• Kwikset
• Schlage
• Weiser
• Yale (limited models)

Unsupported types include:

• Automotive keys
• Fobs
• High-security keys
• Do Not Duplicate (unless the machine fails to read the warning)

Machines read key shape and code via barcode and edge-scan. Compatibility is limited to the most common keyways, so check the model stamped on your original.

Convenience vs. Cost

The real value of MinuteKey lies in access. With most kiosks open during store hours, often 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., you’re not bound to locksmith availability.

That convenience comes with a slightly higher cost than hand-cutting keys at some independent hardware stores, but the trade-off is speed. For a $1–$2 premium, most users get their copy in under 60 seconds.

That trade-off appeals to those locked out at night, travelers on the move, or families managing multiple properties.

Answers to Common Questions

What is the average MinuteKey cost per key?

Most users pay $2 to $4 per key, with some decorative options costing more.

Can I use promo codes at MinuteKey kiosks?

Yes, MinuteKey.com frequently lists coupon codes that can be scanned directly at the kiosk.

Are decorative keys more expensive?

Yes, novelty keys typically add $1–$2 on top of the base price.

Can MinuteKey duplicate my car key?

No, MinuteKey does not support chipped, smart, or automotive keys.

Is there a refund if the copy doesn’t work?

No refunds are issued, even if the duplicated key is miscut or unreadable.