Most house and office keys carry a short stamped code near the head of the key — something like KW1, SC1, Y1 or a number such as 1176. That code identifies the keyway (the brand and shape of the key), which is the single most useful piece of information when you need a duplicate.
Where to look
Check the flat face of the key near the bow (the part you hold), and the shoulder where the blade meets the head. Hardware brands like Kwikset, Schlage and Weiser usually stamp their own code; aftermarket blanks often carry an Ilco reference number instead.
Brand codes vs. Ilco numbers
A single key can have two valid references: the manufacturer’s code and the aftermarket (Ilco) equivalent. For example, the common Kwikset keyway is marked KW1 and cross-references to Ilco 1176. A Schlage keyway is SC1. Both point to the same physical blank — it just depends which catalogue you are reading.
What the code does NOT tell you
The keyway code tells us which blank to start with, not the cut pattern. The actual bitting (the peaks and valleys) is read from your original key or, for some locks, from a factory key code. That is why bringing the physical key gives the most reliable copy.
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