What is the difference between a latch bolt and a deadbolt?

A latch bolt is a spring-loaded pin housed in a lock mechanism that retracts automatically as a door closes and snaps into the strike plate on the frame. It requires no key or manual engagement to lock-merely shutting the door activates the mechanism. A deadbolt, by contrast, is a solid rectangular bolt that must be manually turned with a key or thumb turn from inside to extend into the strike plate and lock the door.

The critical difference lies in security. A latch bolt can be manipulated or shimmed open without significant effort because it relies only on spring tension. A deadbolt provides much stronger resistance to bypass techniques and forced entry because it requires deliberate action to engage and disengage. This is why building codes in Singapore require deadbolts on all exterior doors and external gates.

Latch bolts appear commonly on interior doors, bedroom locks, and low-security applications where convenience matters more than access control. They are also found on older gate latches and some residential interior doors. Because of their vulnerability to shimming and shoulder-surfing attacks, latch bolts alone should never be the sole lock on a front door, external gate, or any entry point requiring real security. Residential locksmiths typically recommend upgrading exterior latch locks to deadbolt systems.