# why do some bathroom doors have round keyoles? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 7, 2004, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-bathroom-doors-have-round-keyoles/273548 "2004-11-07T22:58:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-bathroom-doors-have-round-keyoles/273548/1 "2004-11-07T22:58:36Z")
Why do some bathroom doors have round keyholes? Why don’t we see these types of locks on other doors? Are there round keys to fit in these keyholes? ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-bathroom-doors-have-round-keyoles/273548/2 "2004-11-07T23:01:09Z")
Do you mean the ones on the outside of the stalls? If so, they can be opened with a tool like an Allen key (hex key) which the building caretaker will have, in case somebody gets locked in a stall and needs rescuing. If you mean a domestic bathroom, I’ve never seen a round keyhole on one of those. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-bathroom-doors-have-round-keyoles/273548/3 "2004-11-07T23:05:03Z")
Not sure if this is what you’re talking about, but on the bathroom doors in my house there’s small hole which you can insert a nail or paperclip or something into and unlock the door if it gets locked from the inside. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-bathroom-doors-have-round-keyoles/273548/4 "2004-11-07T23:35:34Z")
If you mean the ones with a key that’s a star-cross-section bar, then they’re not true locks, but simply a bolt set into the inside of the door - security isn’t an issue with locking a bathroom, and (as has been pointed out) being able to open the door from both sides if necessary is preferable. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-bathroom-doors-have-round-keyoles/273548/5 "2004-11-08T00:17:08Z")
why do some bathroom doors have round keyoles? So your round eye can look in? (and what’s a keyole?) ---
**Author:** ![El\_Zagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-bathroom-doors-have-round-keyoles/273548/6 "2004-11-08T01:21:52Z")
I assume you are talking about bathrooms you find in a typical residence. The little hole allows you to insert a small screwdriver (normally supplied with the lock) so that you can unlock it from the outside in an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-bathroom-doors-have-round-keyoles/273548/7 "2004-11-08T02:53:15Z")
Door hardware is available in three basic types: Entry, privacy, and passage. Passage sets can’t be locked-they permit passage at all times. Privacy sets are typically fitted to bedrooms and bathrooms, and are locked from the inside with either a thumbturn or pushbutton. An emergency opening is provided on the exterior lever or knob, and permits unlock of the fixture without breakage. Entry sets require a key on one or both sides, and are available in a dozen different functions, depending on the application.