Types of Cabinet Locks: A Complete Guide
From filing cabinets to display cases and tool boxes, cabinet locks come in a handful of common styles. Knowing which type you have makes replacement and rekeying much easier.
Cam Locks
Cam locks are the most common cabinet lock. Turning the key rotates a flat metal cam behind the door or drawer face, which catches on the frame to secure it. They are used on cabinets, mailboxes, lockers and furniture, and come in many lengths and cam styles.
Plunger Locks
Plunger locks secure the door or drawer by pushing a plunger into a strike or against the frame. They are common on display cases, sliding doors and tool boxes — for example, utility tool box plunger locks.
Push Locks
Push locks lock when you press the cylinder in and unlock with the key. They are often used on sliding glass doors and file cabinets with a central locking bar.
Filing Cabinet Locks
Many filing cabinets use a removable core or a plunger-style lock that controls a locking bar for all drawers. Replacement kits make it easy to swap a worn or lost-key lock without replacing the cabinet — see the Top 5 Most Popular Replacement Filing Cabinet Lock Kits, which cover the most common styles.
Electronic and Keypad Cabinet Locks
Electronic keypad locks allow keyless entry with a code or credential and are increasingly popular for modern cabinets, lockers and shared workspaces.
Choosing a Replacement Cabinet Lock
- Identify the lock style (cam, plunger, push, removable core).
- Measure the cylinder length and the door or panel thickness.
- Note the cam shape, orientation and rotation (90° or 180°) for cam locks.
- Decide whether you need keyed-alike or keyed-different locks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common type of cabinet lock?
The cam lock, which uses a rotating metal cam to secure the door or drawer.
Can I replace a filing cabinet lock myself?
Often yes. Many filing cabinet locks can be removed and replaced with a matching replacement lock kit.
What if I lost my filing cabinet key?
A locksmith can usually open it and either cut a new key or replace the lock with a compatible replacement.