Lock picking is the manual manipulation of a lock’s internal components to open it without the key, employing tactile skill and specialized tools.

Magicians and escape artists incorporate lock picking into escape routines, demonstrations of apparent superhuman dexterity, and effects involving locked boxes or padlocks. The practice extends beyond traditional pin tumbler locks to include combination locks, gaffed or gimmicked locks, and even complex safes, as detailed in specialized literature and performance manuals. Lock picking in magic is not merely mechanical but psychological, often presented as a feat of mental focus or intuition.