Label keys and keyrings with a name tag
If you want to label keys, the easiest way is to put a colored ring or a tag made of hard plastic or metal on each key and stick a name label on the tag, not on the key's blade. Write what the key is for, such as Storage or Grandma's, or give each person in the family their own color or motif. Do not write names and addresses on house keys.
Here you can see which methods of labeling keys are available, what should be written on the tag, how well it stays attached, and what happens if the keyring is lost.
Labeling keys: five methods and when they are suitable
The word key can mean both the thing you use to unlock a door and, figuratively, the solution to a problem. Here, it means the first kind. In stores, there are essentially five ways to label it, and they solve different problems.
| Put | Solves | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Colored ring or key cap | You can immediately see which key is which | Several keys on the same keyring, one color per door or per person |
| Tag with a name label or text | States in plain text what the key is for | Storage, garage, laundry room, spare keys in a drawer |
| ID tag with code (subscription service) | The finder can send the keyring back without seeing who it belongs to | House keys and car key that you carry with you every day |
| Keyring with printing or engraving | A personal keyring that is easy to recognize | Gift, personal keyring, company keys |
| Cardboard tag with receipt | Numbered tag matching the key and owner | Auto repair shop, landlord, and others who take in other people's keys |
The two are not mutually exclusive. A common combination is an ID tag on the keyring you carry with you and colored rings or tags with name labels on everything kept at home.
What should be written on the tag?
Write what helps you find the right key, not what helps a stranger find the right door.
- What the key opens: Storage, Bike room, Garage, Mailbox, Cabin, Grandma's. This works best for keyrings kept at home or hanging in a key cabinet.
- Who it belongs to, without a name: one motif or color per person. The child with the fox, Dad with the blue one.
- Initial or short word: enough to distinguish two identical keys on the same keyring.
Leave out your name and address, and the registration number on the car key. This is not just a matter of burglary. Insurance companies look at it too: the product information for Mysafety’s key insurance states that loss of a key or keyring marked with a name, address, or registration number is not covered. Terms differ between companies, so read your own before writing anything on the keyring that identifies you.
If the keyring goes missing
Many people think the police will contact them when someone turns in keys. According to the police page on reporting lost property, you generally should not report lost keys, and the police do not register found keys. You must go to the nearest police station with lost property yourself and ask.
If the keys are marked with an anti-theft tag or other ID marking, the finder should follow the instructions on the marking, the police write. That is why ID tags with codes exist: the code is linked to you with the company behind the service, and the person who finds the keyring never sees whom it belongs to. If you want to be able to get back the keyring you carry with you, such a service is the right tool. A name label is not.
A name label is good for keeping keys organized at home, so the wrong key does not come with you to work, the cabin, or the neighbor who waters the flowers.
Where on the key the label stays on
A self-adhesive name label adheres to plastic and metal. But a key sits in a pocket, rubs against other keys, and is turned in the lock every day, so the location determines how long the label stays on.
- Best: a tag made of hard plastic or metal hanging from the ring. It is flat, does not go into the lock, and wears less than the key.
- Fine: the flat part of the key head, with a small label. Expect it to wear out faster on a key carried in a pocket every day than on one hanging in a cabinet.
- Never: the blade with teeth. Nothing should be attached there that could get stuck in the lock.
- Avoid: soft silicone or rubber key covers. Name labels do not adhere well to silicone and highly flexible materials.
How to attach a name label to a key fob:
- Wipe the surface. It should be clean, grease-free, and completely dry.
- Press the label firmly in place. Hold it down for about ten seconds and press extra firmly on the corners.
- Let the glue set. It needs about a day. Preferably, don’t carry the keyring in a wet pocket or rainy bag before then.
A child’s first very own key
When the child starts walking home alone from school or after-school care, they often get their first key. It lies in a backpack among other backpacks and can easily end up in the wrong one.
- Label the tag with a motif the child recognizes, not with a name. The same motif can be on the backpack and water bottle, so everything ties together.
- Attach the key ring with a carabiner to an inner pocket so it does not hang visibly on the outside.
- Put the name on the backpack, preferably on the inside. Then the bag can be returned without the key revealing where you live.
Color code for the family and storage unit
If you have many identical keys for the storage unit, bike room, laundry room, basement, and cottage, a simple color code helps. Give each door a color and use it everywhere: the same color on the ring, the tag, and the hook in the key cabinet. Write the door's name on a label on the tag, so no one has to remember what green meant.
Spare keys in a drawer are what most often end up as an unnamed pile. Attach a tag with a label to each spare key on the same day it enters the home.
New home: count and label the keys right away
How many keys you receive for an apartment is stated in the rental agreement or in the terms that apply to the transfer, and when you receive them as a buyer is stated in the purchase agreement. Ask the real estate agent, housing association, or landlord to get the answer for your particular home. You can count the keys yourself when you receive them and write down the number.
Label them the same day. A new home often has one key for the door, one for the mailbox, one for the storage unit, and a tag or key for the laundry room, and after the move no one knows which is which.
Which name label is suitable for keys?
Lappu sells self-adhesive name labels in three formats. All labels in a set have the same text, so choose the text based on what the set will be used for.
- Small name labels, SEK 129: for the head of a key and small tags. Also for pens, chargers, and earbud cases.
- Name labels, 124 labels from SEK 139: for larger tags. The rest of the sheet is enough for clothes, shoes, and bottles.
- Large name labels, 30 for SEK 139: for the hooks in the key cabinet, the drawer with spare keys, or the key ring with the cottage keys.
Example calculation: a family with three keyrings and six keys that each need a tag uses six labels. A set of standard name labels costs from SEK 139 for 124 labels, approximately SEK 1.12 per label, so the keys cost around SEK 7 and the rest of the sheet can be used for other things. More calculation examples can be found on the page about price per name label, and more ideas for adults' belongings can be found on name labels for adults.
Rule of thumb: a name label keeps your keys organized at home. If you want to get a lost keyring back, an ID tag with a code is better, and a name label is not the right solution for soft silicone covers or a key blade that wears in the lock.
Frequently asked questions
Should you write your name and address on your keys?
No, not on house keys or car keys. The person who finds the keyring should not be able to connect it to a door, and some key insurance policies do not cover keys marked with a name, address, or registration number. Instead, write what the key opens, or use a color or design.
What should I do if I have lost my keys?
As a rule, you do not report lost keys to the police, and the police do not register found keys. Go to the nearest police station with lost property and ask. If the keyring has an ID tag with a code, contact the company behind the tag.
What is a key tag?
A tag that hangs from a key ring and provides information about the keys. It can be an ID tag with a code that allows the finder to return the keyring anonymously, or a simple tag where you write or attach a label indicating what the key is for.
How can I design my own key ring?
The simplest option is a plain plastic or metal tag with a name label that you design yourself, choosing the design, color, and font. If you want a printed or embossed key ring, order one from a company that makes them.
How much does it cost to make a new key?
It depends entirely on the key. A standard key can often be copied by a locksmith or key service, while keys for locking systems and modern car keys can cost more and often have to be ordered through the system owner or car manufacturer. Ask about the price before ordering.
Are you allowed to copy keys for a condominium?
It depends on the association's locking system and rules. In many associations, new keys are ordered through the association or its lock supplier. Ask the board before copying a key.