🛡️ Lock Grade Guide (ANSI/BHMA)
Pick the right ANSI/BHMA grade for the door in front of you. Compare Grade 1, 2, and 3 on the exact cycle counts, forced-entry strikes, and strength they must pass — for both deadbolts and locksets.
🛡️ Recommended: Grade 2
A solid middle grade. A Grade 2 deadbolt withstands 150,000 cycles and 5 forced-entry strikes; a Grade 2 lockset withstands 400,000 cycles. A common, sensible minimum for home exterior doors.
| Test | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier | Highest — commercial / heavy-duty | Medium — light commercial / heavy residential | Basic — residential minimum |
| Deadbolt cycles (A156.5) | 250,000 | 150,000 | 100,000 |
| Deadbolt strikes | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Lockset cycles (A156.2) | 800,000 | 400,000 | 200,000 |
| Lockset strikes | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Lockset strength (lbf) | 360 | 250 | 150 |
Figures are the published ANSI/BHMA A156.2 (locksets) and A156.5 (deadbolts) test requirements. Grade 1 is the highest and the best choice for exterior doors; Grade 3 is the residential minimum, best kept to interior doors.
What the grade actually certifies
An ANSI/BHMA grade isn’t a marketing badge — it’s the result of standardised destructive testing. Locks are cycled hundreds of thousands of times to prove durability, struck to simulate forced entry, and loaded to test raw strength. Only hardware that passes every test at a given level earns that grade.
Because deadbolts and locksets face different demands, they’re held to different numbers under A156.5 and A156.2. The comparison above lays them side by side so you can match a grade to the door’s exposure: commercial and exterior doors deserve the higher grades, while interior doors can safely use Grade 3.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ANSI/BHMA lock grade?
ANSI/BHMA certifies door locks under the A156 family of standards — chiefly A156.2 for locksets (knobs and levers) and A156.5 for deadbolts. Each lock is tested for operational cycles, forced-entry strikes, and strength, then earns Grade 1 (highest), Grade 2, or Grade 3.
What's the difference between Grade 1, 2, and 3?
Grade 1 is the strongest: a Grade 1 deadbolt survives 250,000 cycles and 10 forced-entry strikes, and a Grade 1 lockset 800,000 cycles. Grade 2 (150,000 deadbolt cycles, 5 strikes) is a solid residential-to-light-commercial choice. Grade 3 (100,000 deadbolt cycles, 2 strikes) is the residential minimum, best for interior doors.
Which grade do I need for my front door?
For a home's exterior doors, Grade 2 is a sensible minimum and Grade 1 is best for maximum security. Reserve Grade 3 for interior doors like bedrooms and closets. Commercial and high-traffic entrances should use Grade 1.
Do the numbers differ between deadbolts and knobs/levers?
Yes. Deadbolts (A156.5) and locksets (A156.2) are tested to different cycle and strike counts, so this guide lists both per grade. A Grade 1 lockset endures far more operational cycles than a Grade 1 deadbolt because handles are used far more often.
Is a higher grade always worth it?
For exterior and commercial doors, the extra forced-entry resistance and durability of Grade 1 or 2 is well worth it. For low-use interior doors, Grade 3 is perfectly adequate. Match the grade to the door's exposure and how often it's used.