Tubular key

A tubular key is a key shaped like a short, hollow tube, with its cuts spread in a circle around the tip. The lock that goes with it has its pins arranged in a ring around a central shaft.

You can spot it straight away because it is not flat: it looks like a small cylinder with notches around the rim and a tab that marks which way it goes in.

It is used mainly on vending machines, bike locks, lockers, some furniture and the doors of utility cabinets. It is rare on the doors of homes. If there is a lock like this at your home or business that has jammed, send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will tell you whether it is something we can sort out.