How to Pick a Lock with a Soda Can

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

So you forgot the combination to your lock and desperately want to get into your locker. No worries; this method will help you pick your lock using just a soda can.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making a shim

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid4901932-v4-728px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Make sure the edges are straight. [1] A soda can is very thin, and you can cut a piece of aluminium out of it to create a shim.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/aid4901932-v4-728px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use a marker to draw one vertical line down the middle of the shim. Halfway between the vertical line and the right edge, draw another, parallel line. From the center of the vertical line, draw a horizontal line extending to the left, cutting the shim in half horizontally. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/aid4901932-v4-728px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Then draw two small vertical lines, parallel to the last line you drew, about a centimeter to either side. Use your pinky to get a better idea of the spacing.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/aid4901932-v4-728px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Between the last two lines you drew, draw a slightly less pointed 'V.' This should start at the top corners of the last two lines you drew, and the point of the U should be the bottom of the center vertical line.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid4901932-v4-728px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Be careful not to cut into the shim or to hurt yourself on the sharp piece of metal. Cut the shim along the U so that the U forms a protrusion from the center of the shim. [3]
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid4901932-v4-728px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Its edge should rest along the top of the U.
    • Fold the legs up. These should be the parts outside and not connected to the U. Fold them up and then wrap them around the folded top half.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid4901932-v4-728px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/aid4901932-v4-728px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Rub it around the outside of a sharpie or marker to help smooth the shim down and make it more effective as a lock-picking device. [4]
    • Make sure it's smooth enough to wrapped around the lock you are using it for.
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Picking the lock

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/aid4901932-v4-728px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Wrap it around the vertical end of the loop, on the side where the lock opens. Make sure that the U of your shim is pointing downwards. [5]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/aid4901932-v4-728px-Pick-a-Lock-with-a-Soda-Can-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You want to slide it into the gap where the loop goes into the lock. Then agitate it a little bit, slide it around, back and forth. This may take some tries to get a feel for it and adjust the shim to the lock. It's possible that you may rip off or break your shim. If this happens, simply make another one and try again. [6]
    3. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Shell of a Soda can
      • Marker
      • Scissors
      • Lock to pick

      You Might Also Like

      An Intro to Lock Picking Using Everyday Objects
      How to
      Pick a Lock
      How to
      Open a Master Lock Combination Lock without the Code
      How to
      Pick a Lock with a Bobby Pin
      How to
      Pick a Lock Using a Paperclip
      How to
      Open a 3 Digit Combination Lock: An Easy Guide
      How to
      Open a Locked Door with a Bobby Pin
      How to
      Pick a Filing Cabinet Lock
      How to
      Pick a Tubular Lock
      How to
      Pick a Master Padlock
      How to
      Pick a Mailbox Lock
      How to
      Pick a Sentry Safe Lock
      How to
      Pick an Old Skeleton Key Lock
      How to
      Make a Bump Key to Bump a Lock
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRcBNJMoFIw
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKtmvstcaR0
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipMi6ryESqk
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPtQ_rVSfSI
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEOWb68YumY
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/fRjNnnLOpmE?t=110

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 65,559 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Jan 13, 2017

        "Really good life hack, designed with a lot of love of the detail."
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement