Last Updated on June 11, 2026
The five common lockset functions are passage, privacy, entry, storeroom, and classroom. Passage never locks, privacy locks from inside with no key, entry locks from either side, storeroom stays locked outside and needs a key, and classroom is keyed from the outside only. Pick by how the room is used: closets get passage, bedrooms and baths get privacy, offices and homes get entry, secured rooms get storeroom.
Want a lock that locks every time the door shuts? There is a function for that. Want a lock that can never trap someone inside a room? There is a function for that too. Here are the most common lockset functions and where each one belongs.
Passage locks never lock
Passage locksets are used where a door does not need to lock. There is no keyhole and no way to lock it. You find them on hall closets, bedroom closets, pantries, and supply rooms. A passage lock’s only job is to hold a door shut once it is closed.
Privacy locks can lock from the inside, but do not have a key
Privacy locksets lock from the inside but have no key from the outside. Instead of a key there is just a small hole and a simple tool that releases the lock. In homes they go on bedrooms and bathrooms; in stores, on fitting rooms. They offer privacy yet open easily in an emergency. Locking is done with a thumb turn or push button inside the room, and some commercial bathroom versions add a locked or unlocked indicator.
Storeroom locksets stay locked
A storeroom lockset keeps the outside lever locked at all times and you always need a key to open the lock. There is no way to control the locking from inside; it locks the moment the door closes, but you can always turn the inside lever to exit, so no one gets trapped. Businesses use this as a commercial self-locking door lock on storage, mechanical, and electrical rooms, usually paired with a door closer so the door never gets left open.
Some residential locks can mimic storeroom function, often by pushing and twisting the inside button (Schlage does this). Many homeowners do not realize it, and we have unlocked plenty of homes where the lock was accidentally set to storeroom mode and auto locked behind the homeowner.
Entry locks lock from either side
Shop entry locks on Amazon. Entry locksets lock with a key on the outside cylinder and a thumb turn, key, or push button on the inside of the door. The inside control lets you lock the door or leave it unlocked so no key is needed to come in. Use entry function where security is not a constant concern, like an office, home, or storage closet door.
Classroom locks are controlled from the outside only
Classroom locks use a key on the outside to set the lock locked or unlocked, with no locking control on the inside. The design stops students from tampering with the lock. Most new schools now use classroom security locks, which add a key cylinder on both sides so a teacher can lock the door during a lockdown without opening it and exposing herself to the corridor. Anyone inside can still leave at any time, and the inside cylinders are usually keyed alike or tied into the school’s master key system.
Choosing function for a building? We help businesses spec hardware through our commercial locksmith services and handle lock installation. See also ANSI lock grades.
Classroom security function
A classroom security lockset adds a key cylinder on both sides, so a teacher can lock the door during a lockdown from inside without opening it. Anyone inside can still exit freely. Many districts now require this function, and it is keyed so the inside cylinders match the school master key system.
Lockset function chart
| Function | Locks? | Where used |
|---|---|---|
| Passage | Never locks | Halls, closets, pantries |
| Privacy | Locks inside, no key | Bedrooms, bathrooms |
| Entry | Locks from either side | Homes, offices |
| Storeroom | Outside always locked | Storage, mechanical rooms |
| Classroom | Keyed outside only | Schools, suites |
