If you break a lockpick, a small amount of experience is given, enhanced by the Thief Stone and other XP bonus. Experience is given when you successfully pick a lock for the first time and when you break a lockpick. It is therefore possible to pick a 'Master' level lock with a low lockpicking skill, but you will probably break more lockpicks to get it open. It is decreased by the difficulty rating of the lock. The size of the tolerance zone is increased by your lockpicking skill and any active bonuses granted by perks, suitably enchanted gear or potions. A larger zone makes it easier to find and allows more leeway before the pick breaks.

The challenge of the lock is inversely related to the size of the tolerance zone. Successful strategies to reduce the number of lockpicks broken may make use of the following facts. Picking the lock successfully requires a certain degree of trial and error. Trying to turn the lock with the lockpick in an incorrect position will result in the lock refusing to open and in permanent damage to your lockpick. Only then can you fully turn the lock to open it. Your objective is to place the lockpick on the correct position in a degree arc. The lockpicking interface shows a dagger for turning the lock, and a lockpick for disarming the locking mechanism.

If you have at least one lockpick in your inventory, interacting with your target will activate the lockpicking interface.

In-game Description: The art of lockpicking is used to open locked doors and containers faster and with fewer broken lockpicks. The Lockpicking skill tree has a total of 11 perks, requiring a total of 11 perk points to fill. Lockpicking is a skill that allows you to access most locked rooms and containers, or to disarm certain traps, without their corresponding keys.

Skyrim lockpick code pc