Lishi Cut Types Explained: 5-Cut, 6-Cut, 7-Cut, 8-Cut, 10-Cut and 12-Cut Tools
Short version: the cut count is the number of cuts in the key blade — it is lock geometry, not tool quality. A 5-cut tool is not "worse" than a 10-cut tool; it fits a different lock. Buying by cut count alone is as wrong as buying by car brand alone.
1. What "cut" actually means
A key blade has a number of cut positions. A 5-cut key has five; a 10-cut key has ten. The Lishi tool must match that geometry to lift and read the pins.
Two tools with the same brand and different cut counts are different tools, not different sizes of the same tool.
2. Cut count table
| Cut | Typical example | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| 5-cut | HON66 | Older Honda and Acura doors |
| 6-cut | SC20 | Schlage residential cylinders |
| 7-cut | CY24 v.2 | Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler doors |
| 8-cut | HU66, FO38, HU100 v.3 | VW/Audi, Ford, GM |
| 9-cut | HU162T v.2 | 2015+ VW and Skoda doors |
| 10-cut | HU101, HU198 | Ford, Jaguar, 2018+ Focus |
| 12-cut | HON77 | Honda CBR motorcycle ignition |
3. The 9-cut problem
Most families are 8-cut or 10-cut, which is why the 9-cut HU162T v.2 catches people out. It sits in the same "HU162T" family name as the 8-cut and 10-cut versions but reads a different door lock.
If a listing says HU162T, read the cut count before the price.
4. How to check a cut count
Count the cut positions on the key, not the number of pins you can feel. On a worn key, the last position is often the faintest — use the lock or the vehicle data to confirm.
If you cannot confirm the cut count, do not order. The compatibility guide explains the other five fields to check.
5. FAQ
Is a 10-cut tool more accurate than an 8-cut tool?
No. Accuracy comes from the tool matching the lock. A 10-cut tool cannot decode an 8-cut keyway.
Can one tool cover several cut counts?
No. The cut count is built into the tool's geometry.
Why do some families have several cut counts?
Because the manufacturer changed the blade. HU162T exists in 8, 9 and 10-cut versions for different locks and years.
Related reading
6. Where to start
Work from the keyway code first, then the cut count. Browse the full range in the Lishi tools collection.
Reviewed against current product data on 2 November 2026. Examples come from the Original Lishi Tools catalogue.
