Are Combination Padlocks As Good As Those With Keys?

While combination padlocks are convenient, they are not generally as secure as keyed padlocks. The internal mechanism of a combination lock relies on rotating wheels and alignment points. These are easier to manipulate, force, or decode than the pin-and-cylinder mechanism used in keyed padlocks. For this reason, insurance policies rarely accept combination padlocks as a primary security measure.

Security Limitations Of Combination Padlocks

A key limitation of combination padlocks is that the code can be cracked simply by trying every possible combination.

A 3-dial lock (10 numbers per dial) has 1,000 possible codes and can often be cracked in around 40 minutes.
A 4-dial lock has 10,000 combinations and may take 4–5 hours to break using the same trial method.
Additionally, some combination padlocks can be decoded more quickly using tactile or visual methods, where slight tension reveals the correct sequence. For this reason, we do not recommend using combination padlocks in unmonitored or high-risk areas.

When Combination Padlocks Are Useful

Despite their lower security, combination padlocks are extremely practical in shared-access environments where:

Multiple users need access
Keys are easily lost
Convenience matters more than maximum security
Examples include school lockers, gym lockers, workplace storage rooms, and short-term access situations.

Resettable Codes And Key-To-Reset Options

Most standard combination padlocks allow the code to be reset when unlocked. This is helpful, but it also creates a vulnerability: a user could intentionally or accidentally change the code.

To prevent this, some high-security combination padlocks require a key to reset the code. This balances convenience with control, ensuring only authorised staff can change the combination.

Recommended Use Cases

Combination padlocks work best when:

The lock is in a supervised area
The risk of targeted attack is low
Convenience is the priority
Keyed padlocks are better when:
Security is high priority
The location is remote or unmonitored
Insurance requirements must be met

Conclusion

Combination padlocks are cost-effective and practical for shared environments, but they are not as secure as keyed padlocks and should not be used where security is critical.