This is a question we get fairly often — and the honest answer is: yes, for some types of keys, and under certain conditions. Here is a breakdown of when it is possible, when it is not, and what a locksmith actually needs to do the job correctly.
When Key-by-Photo Works
For simple mechanical keys — standard house keys, padlock keys, and basic car keys without any chip or transponder — a clear, high-resolution photo can sometimes provide enough information to cut a copy. The photo needs to show the blade profile clearly, ideally from the side, with enough detail to count and measure the cuts. A locksmith can use the photo to identify the key code and cut a blank to match.
This works best when the photo is taken straight-on from the side of the blade, the lighting is good enough to see each cut depth clearly, the key is a standard keyway, and the key has no electronic component.
When It Does Not Work
Transponder keys and smart keys — standard on most vehicles made after the mid-1990s — have an embedded chip that communicates with the car's immobilizer system. Cutting the correct key shape from a photo will get you a key that fits the ignition mechanically but will not start the car. The chip must be programmed using equipment connected to the vehicle's OBD port, and this cannot be done from a photo.
Similarly, high-security restricted keyways — like Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy — have complex cut patterns that cannot be accurately determined from a standard photo. These keys also require authorization to duplicate.
What Locksmiths Actually Use
Professional locksmiths typically use key codes rather than photos. Most locks and keys have a code that tells the locksmith exactly which depths to cut on the key blank. This is more accurate than visual measurement from a photo. For vehicles, the key code is often accessible via the VIN and the manufacturer's database.
The Honest Bottom Line
For a simple house key or padlock key with a clear photo and no electronic component, an experienced locksmith may be able to cut a working key. For most modern car keys or any high-security key, a photo alone is not enough. Call Lock Angeles LA at (310) 997-6304 and describe your situation — we will tell you exactly what is possible.
