To open a paint can, slide the hooked end of a paint key or the tip of a flathead screwdriver under the lip of the lid, then press the handle down to break the seal. Move about half an inch along the rim and do it again, working all the way around until the lid lifts off evenly. That is the whole trick. The lid is held by a friction seal that grips a groove around the top of the can, so you are levering it loose bit by bit rather than yanking it in one go.
Do it in one spot with too much force and you bend the lid, which means it will not reseal and your leftover paint dries out. Spread the effort around the rim and the can opens clean, closes tight, and the paint keeps for your next coat. Here is how to do it right, with or without the proper tool.
What you need before you start
A gallon can opens easiest on a flat, stable surface at about waist height, like a workbench or a low step stool. Lay down a drop cloth or a few sheets of newspaper first, since a little paint on the rim is normal and you do not want it on the floor.
Then grab one of these:
- A paint key. The small metal tool many paint stores hand out for free. It is shaped for exactly this job.
- A flathead screwdriver. The one most people already own. A medium size fits a standard gallon can well.
- A 5-in-1 painter’s tool. Handy if you are painting anyway, since it scrapes and cleans rollers too.
Give the can a quick wipe with a damp rag if the lid is dusty or crusted, and check the rim for dried paint. A clean rim breaks its seal far more easily than a gummed-up one.
How do you open a paint can with a paint key?
A paint key is the fastest, cleanest way to open a can, and it is built so the lid stays flat enough to reseal. Take the hooked end and follow these steps.
- Hook the curved end under the lip of the lid, in the gap where the lid meets the rim.
- Press the other end of the key down toward the can. The lid rises a little as the seal gives.
- Lift the key out, rotate the can about half an inch, and repeat.
- Keep circling the rim. After one or two laps, the lid loosens all the way around and lifts off level.
Tip: Do not try to pop the lid off from a single spot. Going around in small steps keeps the lid flat, and a flat lid is one that seals again.
If you want the manufacturer’s own version of these steps, Behr’s guide to opening a can of paint walks through it with the same tool.
How to open a paint can without a paint key
No paint key nearby? A flathead screwdriver does the same job, and a few other flat tools work in a pinch. The motion never changes: wedge, press, move, repeat.
Use a flathead screwdriver
Slot the flat tip into the gap between the lid and the rim, then gently lever the handle down to lift the lid a little and let air break the seal. Move to a new spot an inch or so along and do it again, going around the can three or four times until the lid frees up. Keep the tip shallow so you lift the lid rather than gouge into it.
Other tools that work
When even a screwdriver is missing, look for something flat, firm, and not too wide:
- Putty knife. Good for scraping a dried rim, though its flex makes heavy prying tricky.
- A sturdy coin or an old key. Fine for a light seal on a smaller can if you keep the pressure even.
- The flat notch on a 5-in-1 tool. The short flat section near the head is the part meant for lids, not the blade edge.
Skip power tools and hammers as pry bars. They deliver far too much force, warp the lid, and make a mess you did not sign up for. For a rundown of alternatives tested side by side,
Bob Vila’s guide to opening a paint can compares a paint key against a multitool and other everyday options.
Here is how the common tools stack up:
| Tool | Best for | Watch out for |
| Paint key | Everyday opening, clean reseal | Easy to lose, so tie it to the can |
| Flathead screwdriver | When you have no key | A wide tip can bend the lid |
| Putty knife | Scraping a dried, stuck rim | Too flexible to pry hard |
| 5-in-1 painter’s tool | Doing several paint jobs at once | Use the short flat notch, not the blade |
What if the lid is stuck?
A stuck lid is almost always dried paint gluing the rim shut, sometimes with a bit of suction on top. The fix is to clear the seam first, then open as normal.
- Run a utility knife or putty knife around the seam where the lid meets the can. This scores through the dried paint that is holding it.
- Warm the rim gently with a hair dryer for a minute or two. A little heat softens hardened paint and loosens the bond.
- Alternate prying and light tapping. Lever with your key or screwdriver in one spot, tap the rim nearby, then move on. The vibration helps the seal let go.
- Rotate often and go slow. Work the whole rim in small moves rather than forcing one corner.
Safety: Always cut away from your body and keep your steadying hand clear of the blade. Slow and patient beats a slipped knife every time.
How to close the can so the paint lasts
Getting the can open is only half the job. A clean reseal is what keeps the leftover paint good for touch-ups, so close it with the same care you opened it.
- Wipe the rim. Use a rag to clear paint out of the groove. Paint left there dries and stops a tight seal, and it splatters when you tap the lid down.
- Seat the lid evenly. Set it flat on the can and press it into place by hand first.
- Tap it home through a rag. Lay a folded cloth over the lid and tap gently around the edge with a rubber mallet or hammer. The cloth stops splatter and spreads the blow, so the lid seats without warping.
Store the closed can somewhere cool and dry, and keep it off a concrete floor if you can, since cold from below can chill the paint. Do that and the same can is ready for your next coat months later.
Conclusion
Opening a paint can comes down to one move done patiently: wedge a paint key or flathead screwdriver under the lid’s lip, press to break the seal, and work around the rim in small steps until it lifts off flat. If the lid is stuck, score the dried paint and add a little heat first. Wipe the groove and tap the lid back on through a rag when you finish, and your leftover paint stays usable for the next job.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a paint can with just a screwdriver?
Yes. A flathead screwdriver is the most common substitute for a paint key. Wedge the tip under the lid, lever gently, and move around the rim in small steps so you do not bend the lid.
How do I open a paint can without any tools?
It is possible but slow. Tap the rim on a hard surface to crack the dried seal, then use a coin or key for leverage and press evenly around the lid. Expect it to take patience.
Why won’t my paint can lid come off?
Dried paint in the rim is usually gluing it shut. Score the seam with a utility knife and warm the edge with a hair dryer, then pry and tap your way around instead of forcing one spot.
Will a screwdriver ruin the lid?
Only if you pry too hard in one place. Keep the tip shallow, use light pressure, and spread the effort around the rim. A lid that stays flat will still reseal properly.
How do I keep leftover paint from drying out?
Wipe paint out of the rim groove, seat the lid evenly, and tap it down through a rag so it seals tight. Store the can cool, dry, and off a cold floor.
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