Quick Links

When it comes to where and when to use an item in Hollow Knight, it can seem like The Knight is sometimes collecting random knick-knacks just for the sake of it, with some early game items not having a real use until closer to the end of the game. One of the more abundant items that have plenty of uses throughout the majority of the game is the Simple Key.

Related: Hollow Knight: Pale Ore Location Guide

These items are fragile and break after one use, meaning The Knight will need to replace them whenever one is used to advance their progress and make their way to The Abyss. Luckily for players, there are multiple ways to find a Simple Key. None of them are incredibly difficult, though some can be easily missed.

Updated July 15, 2023, by Sean Murray: As we all patiently await the release of Silksong, it's the perfect time to complete any content you missed from Hollow Knight, including the Simple Keys. That's why we've refreshed this guide with updated formatting and a few breakout tips to make finding the Simple Keys that much easier.

Where To Find All Simple Keys

Hollow Knight holding a sword close up

All the Simple Keys are interchangeable and identical. They can be obtained in any order; if you've missed one in your travels through Hallownest, you can always retrace your steps and the Simple Key will be waiting to be collected in its spot.

Key 1: Dirtmouth

Simple Key 1 - Sly's Shop

By far the easiest Simple Key that can be found is being held by Sly, the shopkeeper in Dirtmouth (who also has a few good early game charms that The Knight can use for most of the game).

Sly's inventory in Dirmouth

This key can be bought from Sly for 950 Geo. Sly will only appear in Dirtmouth after finding him in the Forbidden Crossroads near the Gruz Mother once she has been defeated.

This is no small amount of Geo either, particularly this early in the game, so players should stock up wherever they can so they can progress through the game faster.

Key 2: City of Tears

Simple Key 2 - City Of Tears

In the City of Tears, just below the Forgotten Crossroads and in the area immediately below the uppermost bench in the area, is a small room off to the right.

To get here, head down into the large, open area filled with hanging platforms and Winged Sentries and go as far right as possible while also staying as high up as possible in the area.

City of Tears Simple Key

The Simple Key is inside a small room in the top right-hand corner.

But be warned: there are also some stronger Sentries that don't want The Knight to take their prize.

Key 3: Ancient Basin

Simple Key 3 - Dead Mawlek

The third Simple Key can be found in the Ancient Basin, but this one is very easy to miss compared to the previous two. To reach it, head into the lowest part of the area, where the Mawlurks like to shoot The Knight with goop, and continue to the right until they find the Mawlurk corpse.

Dead Mawlurk in Hollow Knight

Walking close to it will reveal that the Knight can walk inside the corpse, where players will find a dead Royal Retainer who is holding onto a Simple Key.

Key 4: Colosseum of Fools

Simple Key 4 - Colosseum of Fools

The Colosseum of Fools hosts some of the trickiest battles in the entire game, but it also contains a secret Simple Key. From the bench in this area, head right, then up into the main arena area that is blocked off by the cage wall on the left.

Break through the wall on the right to reach a hidden area, continue right, then drop into the water to reach the bottom level.

Pale Lurker after being defeated

Head right to find a Pale Lurker holding something shiny, then chase down and kill it to take the Simple Key from them.

This is easier said than done, as they are very fast and like to leave spikey traps in their wake to keep The Knight from taking their prized possession.

Related: Hollow Knight: How To Complete The Hunter's Journal

Where To Use Simple Keys

Hollow Knight attacks a group of enemies while it rains

Any of the Simple Keys will open any of the following doors; like much of Hollow Knight, there is plenty of flexibility when choosing where and when to use each key, although some opportunities will present themselves earlier than others in the game.

Door 1: Jiji's House

Simple Key Door 1 - Jiji's House

The first door players are likely to find that can be unlocked with a Simple Key is Jiji's House, which is located to the far right of Dirtmouth — past the well that takes players into the main part of the game.

Jiji is a very useful NPC, as she will allow players to summon The Knight's Shade to her house after they have died, rather than having to go search for it in Hallownest where they may die again.

Jij's locked house in Dirtmouth

This is where the Rancid Eggs come in, as she won't do this for The Knight for money. In Steel Soul Mode, Jiji will be replaced with the Steel Soul Jinn, who pays out good amounts of Geo in exchange for a Rancid Egg.

Door 2: Pleasure House

Simple Key Door 2 - Pleasure House

In the City of Tears, near the top level of the main area where players are likely to see a Great Husk Sentry for the first time, there is a sign that looks like The Knight's mask with a question mark above its head. Simply interact with the door beside it to find it can be unlocked with a Simple Key.

Closed Pleasure House in the City of Tears

There's not a whole lot going on inside the Pleasure House, but there is a hot spring for recharging Soul as well as the ghost of Songstress Marissa. Players can also find the "Banker" Millibelle here if they deposited Geo with her and she has run away when returning to her old position.

Door 3: Royal Waterways

Simple Key Door 3 - Royal Waterways

In the City of Tears, a little way to the left of where the Pleasure House is located, there is a grate in the floor that leads to the Royal Waterways, possibly the creepiest of all the areas of Hallownest.

Royal Waterway glowing portal Hollow Knight

This door can be easily missed, but its area is where players can obtain the Isma's Tear, an invaluable item that allows The Knight to swim in acid and opens up many new parts of the world.

Door 4: Junk Pit

Simple Key Door 4 - Junk Pit

From the entrance to the Royal Waterways, head left and down to where the bench is located, then keep heading down and to the right to the bottom. From here, head back to the left from the bottom level, then back up to the top left of the map to reach a new area.

This maze area can be hard to navigate and is full of worm enemies, but there are many hidden breakable paths that make the trek a little easier.

Godseeker cocoon in the Junk Pit

Head to the top left of this maze to reach the Junk Pit, where a locked sarcophagus can be found by dropping down and heading left. Unlocking this cocoon will begin the Godseeker content, the incredibly difficult boss rush modes that can put even Nightmare King Grimm to shame.

Related: Hollow Knight: Challenges After You Beat The Game

Other Keys

Hollow Knight protagonist standing atop a rock

There are a few other keys that can be collected in Hallownest that aren't Simple Keys — these are unique items with distinct descriptions that match a single door somewhere in Hallownest. There is only one of each to be found, and all of them are optional.

But the rewards for collecting them are very useful in later gameplay, unlocking such things as advanced items, map pieces, Spell upgrades, and optional Bosses.

The Shopkeeper's Key

Shopkeeper's Key Location - Crystal Peak

The Shopkeeper's Key can be found in a room in the Crystal Peaks just above where the highest bench is located. If you present the Shopkeeper's Key to Sly in Dirtmouth it will unlock more items for you to purchase from him — including yet another key!

The Elegant Key

Elegant Key Location - Sly's Shop

The Elegant Key can be purchased from Sly in Dirtmouth for 800 Geo. This key will only be available for purchase once the Shopkeeper's Key has been obtained and given to Sly.

Elegant Key Door - Soul Sanctum

The Elegant Key opens a small area in the Soul Sanctum where the Shade Soul, one of the many spell upgrades in the game, can be obtained.

Be warned — there are some tricky enemies waiting behind this locked door!

The Love Key

Love Key Location - Queen's Gardens

Potentially the most intriguing and disturbing of the keys, the Love Key can be found on the husk of a bug in the south end of the Queen's Gardens area of the map, relatively close to Queen's Station.

You will need Isma's Tear to access this area, and it will be defended by two Mantis Traitors. A third will appear after you collect the key, so stay on your toes.

Love Key Door - Tower of Love

The Love Key can be used to fight a tricky Boss called the Collector. This dark creature resides in the Tower of Love behind a padded door and is one of the creepier denizens of Hallownest.

He can be defeated to free three Grubs as well as obtain a useful item — the Collector's Map — which shows the location of all the jar-imprisoned Grubs throughout Hallownest.

Next: Hollow Knight: Achievement/Trophy Guide