Guides & Resources
The access-card knowledge base
Plain-English guides to every lock format we support — how to identify your card, which OEM part numbers we match, what can (and can't) be cloned, and how to order the right compatible credential.
Indala 27-Bit Proximity Card: The Harder-to-Find Indala Format
Indala 27-bit extends site codes to 8,191 unique values. Even fewer suppliers stock this variant. Learn specs, readers, and how to order compatible cards.
What Is Wiegand 26-Bit? The Universal Access Card Format Explained
Wiegand 26-bit (H10301) is North America's most common access card format. Learn how facility codes, card numbers, and bit structure work — and where to get compatible cards.
Non-OEM vs. OEM Proximity Cards: Is Compatible the Same as Genuine?
Compatible access cards are programmed to the same specification as OEM cards — same facility code, same format, same read range. Here's what 'compatible' actually means and what you give up.
AWID vs. DoorKing vs. HID: Which Format Does Your Gate Use?
DoorKing gates use AWID-format cards — not HID. Mixing formats means cards that won't read. This guide helps you identify your gate system and order the right compatible credential.
Schlage XceedID Compatible Proximity Cards: Buyer's Guide
Schlage XceedID readers accept standard 26-bit Wiegand prox cards. Skip Allegion's dealer channel and order compatible cards programmed to your facility code.
RBH Integra32 Compatible Proximity Cards: What Works
RBH Integra32 accepts standard 26-bit prox cards alongside native 50-bit credentials. Learn which formats work and how to order aftermarket replacements direct.
Hospital and Healthcare Facility Access Card Guide
Healthcare facility managers: identify your access card format—HID, Kantech, LenelS2, Honeywell—and order compatible replacements. No OEM dealer account required.
Keri Systems MIFARE Smart Card (DK4 / DC4): Buyer's Guide
Need Keri MIFARE smart card replacements? DK4-3 and DC4-1 require Keri's proprietary application programming. Order compatible cards without OEM pricing.
Parking Garage Access Card & Fob Replacement Guide
Parking systems run on DoorKing, AWID, HID, and Securakey formats. Identify your format and order compatible cards and fobs fast—no dealer account required.
Indala ASP FlexSecur Cards Cannot Be Copied or Cloned
Indala FlexSecur uses site-specific encryption between card and reader. No third party can supply compatible cards — here's why, and who can issue replacements.
Can HID iCLASS Legacy Cards Be Cloned? Standard vs Elite Key
Standard-keyed HID iCLASS legacy cards are practically cloneable today. Elite-keyed iCLASS raises the bar significantly. Here is an honest technical breakdown of both scenarios.
HID iCLASS SE vs Seos: Security Differences Explained
HID iCLASS SE and Seos are both AES-encrypted smart cards that cannot be cloned. Learn the real security differences and which is right for your facility.
Verkada Compatible Access Cards: Legacy Prox Mode Explained
Verkada readers accept standard 26-bit proximity cards in legacy prox mode. Find what works, what doesn't, and how to order compatible cards without Verkada's price premium.
Brivo Compatible Access Cards: Prox Cards for Brivo ACS
Brivo ACS panels accept standard 26-bit proximity cards alongside Brivo's encrypted credentials. Order compatible prox cards for your Brivo building without Brivo's price premium.
Kastle Systems Access Card: Compatible Third-Party Options
Kastle uses proprietary 32-bit credentials — but many Kastle readers also accept standard 26-bit prox cards. Learn what works, what doesn't, and how to check your building.
IEI and Linear Proximity Card Replacement (HID-Compatible)
IEI and Linear access systems use standard HID H10301 26-bit cards. Skip the dealer — order compatible replacements programmed to your facility code direct from American Key Cards.
Keri Proximite PSC-1 Card Replacement: Buyer's Guide
Need Keri Proximite PSC-1 replacement cards? Learn the specs, how to identify Pyramid Series readers, and where to order compatible 26-bit cards without an OEM dealer account.
Office Building Access Card Replacement: Compatible by Format
Replace office access cards without a dealer account. Kantech, LenelS2, HID, DSX, Continental Access — programmed to your facility code, shipped direct.
School and University Access Card Replacement Guide
Replace HID, Kantech, Indala, Keri, and MIFARE campus access cards without an OEM dealer. Compatible cards programmed to your facility code, shipped direct.
HOA Gate Access Card Replacement Guide (DoorKing, AWID, Linear)
Most HOA gate systems use DoorKing DKProx or Linear 26-bit credentials—both available without a dealer account. Here's how to reorder cards and fobs direct.
Gym Access Card Replacement: A Fitness Center Buyer's Guide
Gyms burn through access cards constantly. Learn which formats fitness centers use—HID 26-bit, EM4100, MIFARE—and how to order compatible replacements fast.
Apartment Complex Access Card Replacement Guide
Property managers: replace DoorKing, AWID, Kantech, and Brivo access cards without a dealer account. Order compatible cards programmed to your facility code.
Keri MS Format vs. Keri 26-Bit: Which System Do You Have?
Keri PXL-500P uses MS format cards. Keri PXL-250 and IntelliProx 2000 use standard 26-bit. Order the wrong type and nothing reads. Confirm your Keri format before you buy.
Indala vs. HID Prox: Why They're Not Interchangeable
Indala FlexPass uses PSK modulation, HID Prox uses FSK/ASK — same 125 kHz, completely incompatible. Confirm your format before ordering replacement cards.
AWID vs. HID 26-Bit Proximity Cards: What's the Difference?
Both AWID and HID output 26-bit Wiegand — yet an HID card will not work in an AWID reader. Learn why the air interface is the key difference and which card your system needs.
Can DoorKing DKProx Cards Be Cloned? The Honest Answer
DKProx credentials have no encryption and can be cloned. Learn what that means, and how to order legitimate DoorKing-compatible cards without a dealer account.
Can Indala FlexPass Cards Be Cloned? PSK vs. FlexSecur Explained
Standard Indala 26-bit FlexPass cards can be reproduced from facility and card number data — but FlexSecur-encrypted cards cannot. Here's exactly what's possible and what a 'compatible' Indala card actually is.
Can Kantech ioProx Cards Be Cloned? (Honest Answer)
Kantech ioProx runs on 125 kHz — cloneable with off-the-shelf tools. Learn what that means for security, what XSF format actually does, and how compatible cards differ from clones.
How to Find Your Facility Code for Proximity Card Orders
Every proximity card order needs a facility code. Find yours from the card label, the access panel, your installer's records, or by reading an existing card.
How to Identify Your Access Card Format (AWID, HID, Indala)
Not sure what access card your building uses? Identify HID, AWID, Indala, Kantech, Keri, and other formats before ordering replacement cards or fobs.
AWID 37-Bit H10302 Proximity Card: Complete Buyer's Guide
AWID 37-bit H10302 cards use a unique 35-bit number with no facility code. Learn how to identify your AWID system and order compatible replacement cards direct.
Keri Systems NXT Compatible Cards: NetXtreme Reader Guide
Keri NXT credentials use an encrypted 125 kHz protocol that generic prox cards cannot replicate. Find out which readers need NXT-format cards and how to order compatible replacements.
Farpointe Pyramid PSC-1 Card Replacement Without a Dealer
Replace Farpointe Pyramid PSC-1 and PSK-3 credentials without a dealer account. Compatible 125 kHz 26-bit cards and fobs, programmed to your facility code.
LenelS2 OnGuard 36-Bit L11601 Compatible Prox Cards
LenelS2 OnGuard uses both 26-bit and Lenel 36-bit L11601 prox formats. Learn which your system needs and how to order compatible replacement cards — programmed to your facility code.
HID Corporate 1000 48-Bit Card (H2XXXXXX): Buyer's Guide
Need Corporate 1000 48-bit cards? Learn about H2XXXXXX format codes, how to order compatible post-2015 HID prox cards, and what information you need.
HID Corporate 1000 35-Bit Compatible Cards: What You Need to Know
Corporate 1000 35-bit is a managed HID format. Learn what the H5XXXX format code means, who can produce these cards, and how to order compatible credentials without OEM pricing.
ICT Protege GX / WX Compatible Proximity Card Guide
ICT Protege systems accept standard 125 kHz proximity cards on legacy reader ports. No ICT-branded cards required — order compatible credentials programmed to your facility code.
Honeywell Northern N10002 34-Bit Prox Card: Buyer's Guide
Need N10002 34-bit prox cards for Honeywell OmniProx readers? Learn the specs, OEM part numbers, how to find your facility code, and how to order direct.
DSX WinDSX D10202 33-Bit Card: Complete Buyer's Guide
DSX Access Systems use a proprietary 33-bit D10202 format, not standard 26-bit. Learn specs, compatible readers, and how to order replacement cards programmed to your facility code.
Continental Access CardAccess 3000 Compatible Prox Cards
CardAccess 3000 and CA4K use standard 26-bit prox cards. No dealer needed — order compatible NAPCO Continental cards direct, programmed to your facility code.
Paradox C704 Compatible Proximity Fob: Buyer's Guide
Lost a Paradox C704 fob or C702 card? Learn the 24-bit format, compatible readers, and how to order Paradox replacement credentials without a dealer account.
Securakey Radio Key Compatible Cards: RK600 & RK65K Guide
Order compatible Securakey Radio Key cards for RK600 and RK65K systems. Format 201 (26-bit) and Format 303 (32-bit) explained. Ships encoded to your facility code.
Rosslare Proximity Card Replacement: Compatible 26-Bit Cards
Replace Rosslare ACS proximity cards without going through an OEM dealer. Compatible 26-bit clamshell cards and fobs, encoded to your facility code and shipped to order.
Vicon VAX Proximity Card Replacement: Compatible Options
Vicon VAX systems use standard 26-bit Wiegand — yet non-OEM VAX proximity card replacements are nearly impossible to find. Here's exactly what to order and what info you need.
Indala FlexPass 26-Bit Card Replacement Guide
Indala uses PSK modulation — incompatible with HID Prox readers at the same 125 kHz. Find compatible cards for Indala 603/610 readers and how to order.
DoorKing DKProx Compatible Cards: Skip the Dealer
DKProx cards use AWID-format 125 kHz proximity, not HID. Learn why standard cards fail, which part numbers to match, and how to order direct from AKC.
AWID 26-Bit Compatible Cards: Complete Buyer's Guide
AWID 26-bit cards use a proprietary air interface HID cards cannot substitute. Learn how to identify AWID readers, find your facility code, and order compatible replacements direct.
Keri MicroStar MS Format Card Replacement Guide
Keri MS format cards are nearly impossible to source outside OEM channels. Learn which readers need them and how to order compatible aftermarket replacements.
P10SHL Replacement Card: Non-OEM Options That Work
Need a P10SHL replacement card without a 50-unit OEM minimum? American Key Cards supplies compatible Kantech ioProx clamshell cards programmed to your facility code.
Not sure which format you have?
Send us the numbers printed on your card — we'll identify the format and quote a compatible card, usually within one business day.