Last Updated on September 24, 2022 by Roger Brown
Most people don’t consider keeping a spare key handy until after a chaotic situation occurs. If you’ve ever lost a key, you’d know the feeling. And if you haven’t but are fearful that it could happen, then you’re likely asking “Where can I get keys made near me?” If so, we’ll cover the places that do it fast and cheap.
Generally, you can get just about any type of key made, whether it’s for your home, vehicle, mailbox, locker, safe, or bike. Many retailers, grocery stores, hardware stores, drugstores, locksmiths, and self-serve kiosks provide key duplication and replacement services. Some of which may be in your area.
It should be noted that not all store locations may offer key copying services. So it’s best to check with your local store online before making the trip. Furthermore, some keys come with a “Do Not Duplicate” inscription. This acts more as a warning than anything. Many places will still duplicate your key regardless.
Where to get keys made near me
Getting a key made is largely inexpensive as mentioned. If you have a key-cutting place nearby, you can be in and out within minutes. In the case of a car key, you might need to visit your car dealership and ask. Although some places on this list might do it for much cheaper. If unsure, you can always call ahead.
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Hypermarkets and Grocery Stores
Big brand hypermarkets and grocery stores are everywhere. Most of these stores will have a Minute Key kiosk or a KeyMe kiosk. You can ask a staff member for assistance if you’re unsure of how to operate whichever machine you’re using. You shouldn’t have any trouble as they are fairly intuitive.
Walmart
You can cut home keys, office keys, or keys to drawers, padlocks, or filing cabinets at the Minute Key kiosk at Walmart. Once you insert your key into the slot, you simply choose the design you like and the machine will do the rest. Keys cost between $2.00 to $6.00. The entire process takes only a few minutes.
Some Minute Key machines also provide copying of car keys and car remotes. These cost anywhere from $22.99 to $329.99 and take about 1-5 business days to arrive through UPS. Once received, you would take your car key to a licensed Minute Key technician to cut and program your new car key.
Kroger
There are over 2,700 Kroger retail stores across 35 states, primarily in the south and midwestern regions, making it one of the largest supermarket chains in the U.S, right behind Walmart and Amazon. Since Kroger offers just about everything, it makes sense that it would also have self-serve KeyMe kiosks.
The KeyMe kiosk will cut most types of keys for your home, office, and mailbox starting at $1.99 for a single key. Your key will be cut and available to you within minutes right from the machine itself. Other keys including vehicle keys and fobs will be shipped in the mail. For specific types of car keys, a technician will program your key for you.
Albertsons
Albertsons has over 2,250 stores across the States, making it the second largest supermarket chain after Kroger. While there is no actual key-cutting service in the stores themselves, there are KeyMe kiosks in many of the locations. So you can have your home key or office key duplicated and dispensed quickly.
Safeway
As a subsidiary of Albertsons, there are over 900 Safeway locations across 17 states. Most Safeway stores have a KeyMe kiosk available. It’s good to call first to inquire. If you’re not in a big hurry to get keys made, you can check for a kiosk there the next time you’re shopping for groceries.
Foodtown
There are 66 Foodtown stores across several states including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. If you live near one, you can drop by or use the kiosk locator on the KeyMe website to check if your store has a kiosk available.
Giant Eagle
With over 470 total locations, Giant Eagle is a major brand with 216 supermarkets and 264 GetGo convenience stores across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Maryland. If you have a store near you, you can drop by and use the KeyMe kiosk to get your keys made. You can call ahead first.
Publix
You’ll find a KeyMe kiosk in your local Publix store if you happen to live in the southeastern part of the States. There are over 1,300 locations with many of them being in Florida and Georgia. Other States with Publix stores include Alabama, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Smith’s
As a subsidiary of Kroger, there are over 140 Smith’s supermarkets across Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Possibly not every single location might have a kiosk. You can find out by using the kiosk locator on the KeyMe website if you live in any of the aforementioned states.
King Soopers
If you’re living in Colorado or Wyoming, then you probably have a King Soopers store nearby. While not a household name and with relatively far fewer locations than many of the big brand supermarkets out there, you can find a KeyMe kiosk in many if not most of the King Soopers stores in your area.
Winn-Dixie
There are over 500 Winn-Dixie stores across Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and Mississippi. You are likely familiar with this massive supermarket chain if you’re living in any of those states. And you’ll probably find a KeyMe kiosk at your nearest store. But you can call ahead and ask just to be sure.
Fry’s Marketplace
This massive supermarket chain, and a division of Kroger’s, is a multi-department store similar to Walmart. Fry’s Marketplace has 123 stores and offers just about everything including groceries, electronics, outdoor living items, home goods, and much more. They have KeyMe kiosks in most locations across Arizona.
Fred Meyer
The Fred Meyer hypermarket chain is owned by Kroger and has around 130 stores operating across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. Fred Meyer is similar to Walmart in that it offers everything and then some under one roof. There are also KeyMe kiosks in most of the Fred Meyer stores.
Meijer
You are likely to find a Minute Key kiosk in a number of Meijer supercenters across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. You can either call ahead if you have a store in your area or just check the Minute Key website to be sure that there is a kiosk available.
Save Mart
There are 293 Save Mart stores across both northern and central California, and northern Nevada. If you’re based in any of those places, you can probably find a KeyMe kiosk in a location near you. These are full-service grocery stores. The kiosks themselves will usually be found closer to the front of the stores.
Vons
Owned by Albertsons, there are 325 Vons stores across southern California and southern Nevada. This supermarket chain also has 26 stores operating in southern California under the Pavilions banner which sells more organic and specialty foods. The KeyMe kiosks are located mostly in the Vons stores.
Food 4 Less
If you’re living in southern California or the metropolitan area of Chicago, then you would be familiar with Food 4 Less stores. Across its 112 locations, you are bound to have a KeyMe kiosk in a store in your vicinity. Your new brass key for your home, office, locker, or mailbox will dispense within minutes.
FoodMaxx
With 51 stores across California and 2 in Nevada, you’re sure to find a FoodMaxx supermarket near you. Owned by the Save Mart Companies, many of these locations will have a KeyMe kiosk inside the store. You can hit the ‘Find A Kiosk’ option on the KeyMe website to make sure that your store has a kiosk.
Woodman’s Markets
There are only 19 Woodman’s Markets stores in the U.S. They operate in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Despite there being relatively few locations, the stores are huge and focus on competitively-priced grocery products. There might not be a kiosk but you may find an outlet or section offering key-cutting services in select stores.
Ruler Foods
This no-frills discount grocery store is a subsidiary of Kroger and operates across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. If you have Ruler Foods near you, you can hop in and use a KeyMe kiosk to get your keys made. Most of its 50 locations are likely to have a kiosk available.
Jewel-Osco
As a subsidiary of Albertsons, Jewel-Osco has 188 stores across Illinois, eastern Iowa, and northwest Indiana. If you reside near a Jewel-Osco store, you can probably find a KeyMe kiosk. As always, it’s best to doublecheck on the kiosk locator page on the KeyMe website so you’ll know before heading down.
Ralphs
As the largest supermarket chain owned by Kroger, Ralphs is likely already a common shopping destination for you if you’re living in southern California. Across its 189 locations, you’re certain to find a KeyMe kiosk at any of them to cut your house key, locker key, office key, or mailbox key instantly.
Pak ‘N Save Foods
There are only three Pak ‘N Save Foods locations remaining today in California. Owned by Safeway, these grocery stores can be found in San Leandro, Emeryville, and Madera. If you’re near any of these stores, you can go in and use a KeyMe kiosk.
Lucky
If there’s a Lucky supermarket near you, then you’ll likely find a KeyMe kiosk. There are 66 Lucky stores in Utah, operated by its parent company Albertsons. And there are 5 Lucky stores in northern California, owned by Save Mart.
H-E-B
With 340 H-E-B grocery stores across Texas, most of them will have a KeyMe kiosk available for you to get keys made for whatever purpose. You can call your local store or check online through the KeyMe website just to be sure that a kiosk is available before you head out.
Tom Thumb
While not a particularly famous supermarket brand elsewhere, Tom Thumb certainly has a large lot of shoppers across its 65 locations in Texas. Owned by Albertsons, this supermarket chain also has KeyMe kiosks in its many stores. If you’re in Texas, you can head to your nearest store to get your keys made.
ShopRite
Under its corporate arm Wakefern Food Corporation, ShopRite has 321 locations across several states including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. There are KeyMe kiosks in most of the ShopRite stores. You can check first on the kiosk locator page on the KeyMe site.
Acme Markets
This popular supermarket chain and a subsidiary of Albertsons has 161 stores located in the same states as ShopRite. And you can get your keys made at a KeyMe kiosk in any Acme store near you. In most cases, the kiosks are located at the front of the grocery store. You can always ask a staff member for help.
Quality Food Centers
This supermarket chain and a subsidiary of Kroger has 62 locations across Washington and Portland, Oregon. Many of its locations will have a KeyMe kiosk. If you’re near a QFC store, you can stop over and get your keys made instantly.
WinCo Foods
This employee-owned supermarket chain has 136 stores across numerous states including California, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. You can get your keys made at a KeyMe kiosk inside any Winco Foods store if you have one nearby.
Shaw’s
There are currently 128 Shaw’s grocery stores across several states including Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. If you’re near a Shaw’s store, you can go in during open hours and get your keys made through the KeyMe kiosk.
The Food Emporium
This grocery chain only has 13 stores in total with all of them across New York and New Jersey. If you have a Food Emporium store near you, you can get your keys made at a KeyMe kiosk. All kiosks are easy to use and you can have your home, mailbox, or locker keys done and dispensed within a few minutes.
Drugstores and Convenience Stores
If your local grocery stores and hypermarkets don’t have key-cutting services and kiosks available or if they’re not in your area, you can try the following drugstores and convenience stores. These places offer key-cutting services.
7-Eleven
You can probably find a 7-Eleven store on just about every corner. And most will have a KeyMe kiosk inside. Some 7-Eleven stores even have signs on the windows advertising key copying services. You can look at the kiosk locator on the KeyMe website to check if your local 7-Eleven has a kiosk available.
Rite Aid
With 2,288 locations across 18 states, you might have a Rite Aid drugstore nearby. The store nearest you should have a KeyMe kiosk available. And some kiosks will save your key design in case you need to get new ones made later. Your saved copies are accessible from a simple fingerprint scan.
Speedway
There are over 3,900 Speedway locations across the U.S, particularly across the Midwest and East Coast. This popular gas station will have KeyMe kiosks in many of its convenience stores. So if you’re pumping gas, you can go in and get your keys made at the same time.
Big Brand Retail Stores
There are several other major retailers out there to consider if you haven’t had much luck finding key-cutting services in the places listed above. You can try the following big brand retail stores if they’re local to you.
Bed Bath & Beyond
The king of home decor is an ideal place for getting your keys made. There are Bed Bath & Beyond stores in every state and you might have one not too far from you. Most of the locations have a KeyMe kiosk. It’s a great place to do some shopping, have a meal at the food court, and get some new keys.
Kmart
At one time there were several thousand Kmart locations all across the U.S. Today that number has reduced to just 3 locations in the continental states. This once highly-popular big brand retailer now only operates in Florida, New Jersey, and New York. And all three stores have KeyMe kiosks available.
Home Improvement Stores
Other ideal places for you to get your keys made are at various home improvement and hardware stores. Many if not most of these stores offer one-to-one services where staff will personally cut your keys for you.
Home Depot
Who hasn’t heard of Home Depot? This renowned home improvement retailer can be found just about anywhere all across the U.S, Canada, and Mexico. As the largest hardware brand of all with over 2,300 stores, you can hop into any Home Depot store and get keys made in person or through a Minute Key kiosk.
Lowe’s
This massive American retail chain operates around 2,200 home improvement stores all across North America. You probably don’t need to drive far to come across a Lowe’s store as they are just about everywhere. Just like Home Depot, you can drop in and get your keys made at a Minute Key kiosk.
Ace Hardware
While not as well known nor as big a brand as Lowe’s and Home Depot, there are more Ace Hardware stores across the world than both, with over 5,200 locations across 60 countries. Many offer staff-assisted key-cutting services along with Minute Key kiosks in most independently-run stores.
Menards
This large American home improvement company has currently 335 stores across 15 states. Many Menards locations have KeyMe kiosks available along with over-the-counter key-cutting services. If you’re near a Menards store, you can drop in and have your keys made within minutes.
True Value
Supported by the True Value Company, you can find a True Value hardware store all across the U.S and worldwide. Many affiliate stores use their own identity and brand. There are approximately 4,500 independent locations in total. And most of them offer in-person key-cutting services.
Automotive Stores
Many automotive stores offer car key-cutting services directly over the counter. Depending on your vehicle, you can have a new key made fairly quickly. In other cases, you may need to directly ask your dealership for a new key or fob.
Advance Auto Parts
As one of the largest auto parts providers in North America, you probably know about Advance Auto Parts. There are over 4,900 stores along with 150 Worldpac branches and 1,250 Carquest stores that are run independently. You can go into any store and request new keys for your vehicle.
AutoZone
With over 6,000 locations all across the U.S, AutoZone is one option for getting your vehicle keys and fobs over the counter. Not every vehicle will have a matching keyless remote. You can check on the AutoZone website or call your local store first before you head out.
NAPA Auto Parts
You’ve probably driven by a NAPA Auto Parts shop at some point. With 6,000 locations across North America, they specialize in providing automotive replacement parts, accessories, and services. If you have a store nearby, you can ask about obtaining a vehicle key replacement. Check online first to be sure.
O’Reilly Auto Parts
With 5,616 locations in the U.S, you can drop into any local O’Reilly Auto Parts store and request a vehicle key replacement. While it’s cheaper than going to your dealership, it may take longer to get your keys made. You can check on the website itself if they have keyless remotes or fobs for your specific car.
Get Keys Made Near Me FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Below are some of the more commonly asked questions regarding key duplication, pricing, etc. Have a read-through before you head out so that you don’t have any confusion when getting your keys made.
How much does a copy of a key cost?
A standard plain brass key for your home or office from a Minute Key kiosk costs between $2.00 to $4.00 depending on your key type. Common keys are dispensed immediately. If your key type is less common, it will be cut and then shipped free in discreet packaging. It should arrive within 3-5 business days.
You can also purchase custom key designs with fancy artwork. These will cost up to $6.00. And if you buy 2 keys, you’ll get the third one free. Kiosks vary from one location to another regarding the type of key designs on offer. Plain brass keys are always the cheapest.
If you’re getting your home or office key made at a KeyMe kiosk, the starting price for a single brass key is $1.99. Like Minute Key, you can purchase a customized key with cool artwork. These normally cost up to $6.99 for a single fancy key.
If you need to replace your vehicle key, you can try doing so at a Minute Key or KeyMe kiosk. You can also visit CarKeysExpress.com. They specialize in cutting keys for many different vehicles. These are all cheaper alternatives to visiting your dealership. You can expect to pay more to replace a fob or transponder key.
Are there cheaper places near me that make keys?
The Minute Key and KeyMe kiosks are your best and cheapest options for getting keys made for your home, office, mailbox, locker, or car. In the rare case that a key can’t be cut successfully through a kiosk, you can try an over-the-counter key-cutting service at your nearest home improvement store.
Summary
If you’re locked out of your home or vehicle, having a spare key is essential. Not everyone is prepared for such an occurrence. In such cases, a locksmith would be required. Unfortunately, locksmiths can be pricey. Many go for around $100 to over $250 to pick a lock. The trip fee itself can cost from $35 to $50.
To avoid a potential disaster and having to pay a considerable expense out of pocket, you should have a spare key handy. If you know of any other independent kiosks or stores in your area that cut keys that aren’t mentioned in the above list, feel free to mention them in the comments section below.
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