simple key locations hollow knight

Here are all the Simple Key locations in Hollow Knight, plus what they unlock, in a quick, spoiler‑light format.

How many Simple Keys?

• There are 4 Simple Keys total in Hollow Knight.

• You only need one to progress (for Royal Waterways), but the others unlock optional areas and content.

Simple Key locations

• Key 1 – Sly’s Shop (Dirtmouth)
  • Buy from Sly in Dirtmouth after you rescue him in Forgotten Crossroads.

* Costs **950 Geo** once he’s back in his shop under his house.

• Key 2 – City of Tears (City Storerooms area)
  • From the City Storerooms stag station, head down into the big vertical room with hanging platforms and Winged Sentries, then go as far right and high as you can to a side room.

* The key is in the **top‑right alcove** of that room.

• Key 3 – Ancient Basin (Mawlurk corpse)
  • Go to the lowest part of Ancient Basin , in the area with Mawlurks that spit goop.

* Walk into the big **Mawlurk corpse** on the right side; inside is a dead Royal Retainer holding a Simple Key.

• Key 4 – Colosseum of Fools (Pale Lurker)
  • Start at the Colosseum of Fools bench, then go right, up into the arena area, and break a hidden wall on the right to reach a secret zone.

* Drop down into the water, go right, and chase the **Pale Lurker** , a fast enemy dropping spike traps; defeating it gives the last Simple Key.

Where Simple Keys are used

• Confessor Jiji’s House (Dirtmouth)
  • Far right side of Dirtmouth , past the well, is a locked door to Jiji’s house; use one Simple Key.

* Jiji lets you **summon your Shade** there instead of going back to where you died.

• Royal Waterways entrance (City of Tears)
  • In City of Tears , a floor grate a bit left of the Pleasure House is locked and needs a Simple Key.

* This opens the **Royal Waterways** , which you’ll want for items like Isma’s Tear and late‑game areas.

• Pleasure House bath (City of Tears)
  • Also in City of Tears, a locked door near King’s Station leads to a hot spring and NPC in the Pleasure House.

* Good for restoring Soul and picking up some extra lore and rewards.

• Junk Pit / Godseeker (Royal Waterways)
  • Deep in the Royal Waterways , in the top‑left of a maze‑like area full of worms, there’s a locked sarcophagus in the Junk Pit.

* Using a Simple Key starts the **Godseeker / Godhome** boss‑rush DLC content.

Quick HTML table (copy‑paste ready)

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Simple Key</th>
      <th>Area</th>
      <th>How to get it</th>
      <th>Typical use</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Key 1</td>
      <td>Dirtmouth</td>
      <td>Buy from Sly after rescuing him (950 Geo).</td>
      <td>Often used for Royal Waterways entrance or Jiji’s house.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Key 2</td>
      <td>City of Tears</td>
      <td>Side room off the big vertical area near City Storerooms; top-right alcove.</td>
      <td>Any remaining locked door (Pleasure House / Junk Pit / Jiji).</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Key 3</td>
      <td>Ancient Basin</td>
      <td>Inside Mawlurk corpse at the lowest right section; on a dead Royal Retainer.</td>
      <td>Same pool of uses; commonly saved for Junk Pit / Godseeker.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Key 4</td>
      <td>Colosseum of Fools</td>
      <td>Hidden area right of arena; defeat Pale Lurker.</td>
      <td>Last remaining Simple Key door if you are 100%‑chasing.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.