Plain metal key
Thin metal head, no plastic. Common on cars from the mid 1990s and older. Cut to the lock, no programming.
Transponder (chip) key
Plastic head, no buttons. A chip inside tells the car the key is allowed. If the chip isn't programmed, the car cranks but won't start, or starts and dies. Most cars from the late 1990s through the 2010s.
Remote head key
Lock and unlock buttons built into the head, blade fixed. Two parts get programmed: the chip and the remote.
Flip key
The blade folds into the remote. Common on VW, Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Kia and newer GM. Flip blades snap at the pivot; a new blade is often enough.
Smart key
Stays in your pocket; the car has a start button or rotary knob. Called smart key, intelligent key, proximity key, comfort access or Keyless Go, depending on the maker. There's an emergency blade inside.
Still not sure?
Send us a photo of the key and the dash, or just the year, make and model. We'll tell you.
Written by the Keyhub Locksmith team, a mobile car locksmith in Marietta, GA. Updated October 23, 2026.