Recommended Free Tools
Simple Keys are one-use items in Hollow Knight: Silksong: each breaks after opening a single simple lock. Four keys and four locks are documented, so using one does not shut you out of the others if you find the remaining keys. For an early use, PC Gamer recommends the Wormways lock because its route leads toward Bonegrave and the Wanderer Crest; the Deep Docks lock is an alternative route rather than a required shortcut.
How Simple Keys work
A Simple Key is a rusted item that opens one simple lock and breaks when used. The item listing gives a maximum held amount of four. The four lock-and-key pairings below are practical matches, not a mandatory order: you can decide which door to open based on the route or reward you want.
Where to get every Simple Key
| Key | Location or requirement | Cost or source |
|---|---|---|
| Bone Bottom key | Buy from Pebb in Bone Bottom. | 500 Rosaries |
| Sinner’s Road key | Defeat the Roachkeeper at the northeast end of Sinner’s Road. | Dropped by the Roachkeeper |
| Songclave key | Buy from Jubilana in Songclave after completing The Wandering Merchant wish. | 650 Rosaries |
| Sands of Karak key | Find it on a corpse beside the eastern bench. | Found in the area |
| Act 3 additional purchase | Grindle sells a key in Blasted Steps. | 600 Rosaries |
The purchase locations and costs, drop, and corpse location are recorded in the Hollow Knight Wiki’s Simple Key reference. The additional Blasted Steps purchase is listed for Act 3.
Every Simple Key lock and what it opens
| Lock location | What opening it provides | Key pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Bone Bottom entrance to Wormways | Access to the west side of Wormways, with a route onward toward Bonegrave and the Wanderer Crest. | Pebb’s Bone Bottom key |
| Green Prince’s cell in Sinner’s Road | Leads to an encounter in the Citadel and, in Act 3, access to Lost Verdania. | Roachkeeper’s key |
| High Halls, west of Ventrica Station | Opens the Rosary Bank. | Jubilana’s Songclave key |
| Central Deep Docks, south of Forge Daughter | Opens the lower section of Deep Docks without Clawline. | Sands of Karak key |
These locations and effects are documented in the Hollow Knight Wiki’s Simple Key reference. The Deep Docks lock is an alternate way into the lower area: the area can also be reached from Far Fields and fully explored with Clawline.
#1 Best Overall
![Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mOgOC8xEL._SL160_.jpg)
- Discover the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom! Explore mossy grottos, gilded cities and misted moors as you ascend to the shining citadel at the top of the world.
- Engage in lethal acrobatic action! Wield a huge suite of deadly moves as you dance between foes in swift, beautiful combat.
- Craft powerful tools! Master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and mechanisms to vanquish your enemies and explore new heights.
- Solve shocking quests! Hunt down rare beasts and solve ancient mysteries to grant the wishes of the downtrodden and restore the kingdom’s hope.
- Face over 200 ferocious foes! Beasts and hunters, monsters and knights. Defeat them all with bravery and skill!
Which lock should you open first?
Choose Wormways for an early exploration route
If you want a useful early connection, the Wormways door is a strong first choice. PC Gamer recommends it because the route leads toward Bonegrave and the Wanderer Crest. That is a guide’s route advice, not an official ranking of the locks. PC Gamer says the door becomes reachable after you acquire Swift Step in Deep Docks.
PC Gamer’s route starts from Marrow Bellway, goes left through Mosshome, then drops down beyond the pilgrim enemies. Use midair dashes to cross the chasm above Bone Bottom; the door is in the next room on the left. See its Simple Key locations and route guide for the walkthrough.
Rank #2
- Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure.
- Journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover secrets tied to your nature and your past.
Choose Deep Docks if you want the alternate lower route
The Deep Docks door gets you into the lower part of the Docks without Clawline. It is convenient if you want that route before acquiring the ability, but it is not the only way to reach or fully explore the lower area: the route from Far Fields and Clawline provide another option.
Keep the other locks in mind
The Green Prince’s cell and the High Halls Rosary Bank offer different progression and reward outcomes. If those matter more to your current goal, save a key for the relevant door. PC Gamer notes that after Pebb’s key there are three more keys and three other doors listed, so spending the first key does not by itself make the remaining locks inaccessible if you find the others.
Rank #3
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds and ruined cities.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!.Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favourites and make your journey unique!.An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation..
Quick route for the Wormways key
- Buy a Simple Key from Pebb in Bone Bottom for 500 Rosaries, or use another key you have found.
- Acquire Swift Step in Deep Docks; PC Gamer describes it as the point after which the Wormways door can be reached.
- From Marrow Bellway, travel left through Mosshome and drop down beyond the pilgrim enemies.
- Use midair dashes across the chasm above Bone Bottom, then enter the next room on the left to find the door.
- Use the key only when ready: opening the lock consumes it.
Sources and version caveat
The location, cost, lock, and effect details here follow the community-maintained Hollow Knight Wiki Simple Key page, last edited August 18, 2026. A second community reference, the Silksong Wiki Simple Key guide, also corroborates the item and acquisition routes. PC Gamer’s route guide was last updated October 2, 2025. Because these are community-maintained references and route guides can lag game updates, a route may differ if the game changes.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
![Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXCF+sf5L._SL160_.jpg)
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
