This Is What Actually Happens When You Put A Key In A Door

Bonus info: How to open a door without a key. Hairpins at the ready.

If you've ever wondered how a Yale lock works, wonder no more.

Stian Berg Larsen / Via youtube.com

They're also known as "pin tumbler locks", so the clue is really in the name.

If you need to see that again, here's a similar diagram that makes it even clearer.

The Bored Ninja / Via dailydot.com

The key (pun intended) is to get the breaks in the pins to line up so you can turn the barrel in the lock.

Which is all very well and good, but what about when you've locked yourself out and don't have a key?

Well, you could always use what you've learnt to pick the lock.

Stian Berg Larsen / youtube.com

This animation was made by Stian Berg Larsen, who also made the animation showing how a lock works.

All you need is a tool to make the pins line up and something to turn the lock's barrel.

Of course, everyone knows that a good spy can pick a lock with only a couple of hairpins.

youtube.com

Turn one hairpin into a lever and one into a pick. This video will teach you all you need to know.

Note: Please do not use this information to break into things you shouldn't.

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Hopefully it'll convince you to double lock your front door, though.