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DayZ handcuffs item icon
EquipmentRestraint Tool

Handcuffs

Handcuffs are a restraint item in DayZ used to restrain another player's wrists. They can be unlocked with Handcuff Keys, opened with tools like a Lock Pick, Hacksaw, Hand Saw, or Pliers, or escaped from by struggling for about 20 seconds.

Quick item summary

TypeEquipment / Restraint Tool
Main useRestrain players
Unlock withHandcuff Keys, Lock Pick, Hacksaw, Hand Saw, Pliers
Escape timeAbout 20 seconds
Repair withIrreparable

Quick answer

Handcuffs are a police-style equipment item used to restrain players. Once restrained, a player has limited control, reduced movement options, and cannot freely access their inventory. They are useful in hostage situations but require attention, because restrained players can struggle free if left alone.

In-game description

“Steel handcuffs, useful for handcuffing your friends and foes. As they can be locked easily, having keys to unlock them is recommended.”

Main Uses

  • Restrain another player
  • Control a hostage situation
  • Limit a player's ability to use objects
  • Slow a restrained player's movement
  • Create time to question, search, or move away from another survivor

How to use this item

Restrain a player

Handcuffs are used to restrain another player's wrists, limiting what they can do until they escape or are unlocked.

  1. Have Handcuffs in your hands.
  2. Approach the player you want to restrain.
  3. Use the restrain action when available.
  4. Watch the restrained player, because they can struggle free if left alone.

Escape from Handcuffs

A restrained player can struggle to escape, but it takes time and can destroy the Handcuffs.

  1. Hold the struggle action.
  2. Keep struggling until the escape finishes.
  3. Escaping takes about 20 seconds.
  4. The Handcuffs usually break when the restrained player gets free this way.

Unlock Handcuffs with keys

Handcuff Keys are the fastest way to unlock Handcuffs without breaking them.

  1. Hold the Handcuff Keys.
  2. Look at the restrained player.
  3. Use the unlock action.
  4. The unlock action takes about 3 seconds.

Open Handcuffs with tools

Several tools can open Handcuffs, but some take longer than others.

  1. Use a Lock Pick, Hacksaw, Hand Saw, or Pliers.
  2. Look at the restrained player.
  3. Use the unlock or break-free action when available.
  4. Wait for the tool action to finish.

How to get Handcuffs

  • Search police loot areas.
  • Check police stations, police cars, prisons, and law-enforcement-themed loot spots.
  • Look around players who may be carrying restraint or hostage-control items.
  • Take them from abandoned bases, stashes, or other survivors when safe.

Spawn info

PoliceUncommon
  • • Handcuffs spawn in police-type loot areas.
  • • They are listed as uncommon on the wiki.
  • • They are useful mostly for player interaction, hostage situations, or roleplay-style encounters.

Important notes

  • Handcuffs restrain a player's wrists and limit what they can do.
  • A restrained player can struggle free in about 20 seconds.
  • If a player struggles free, the Handcuffs usually break.
  • Handcuff Keys unlock Handcuffs the fastest, taking about 3 seconds.
  • A Lock Pick takes about 10 seconds to open Handcuffs.
  • A Hacksaw takes about 15 seconds to open Handcuffs.
  • A Hand Saw takes about 15 seconds to open Handcuffs.
  • Pliers take about 25 seconds to open Handcuffs.
  • Handcuffed players can still change stance and move at reduced speed.
  • Handcuffs are irreparable.
  • They take 2 inventory slots and weigh 380 g.
  • They are listed as uncommon and spawn in police locations.