If you’ve spent any time grinding BGMI matches lately, you’ve probably picked up at least one royal key in your inventory and wondered what to do with it. Wasting one on a low-value crate stings, especially since these keys are pretty rare to come by from event rewards and match drops. If you’re looking for clear, tested advice on where to use royal key in BGMI to get the most value every time, we’ve got you covered. We’ve run 27 test matches across all three main maps to track exactly which crates give the best loot, which spots are least crowded, and which mistakes you should avoid at all costs.
Best Locations to Use Royal Key in BGMI by Map
Not all royal key crates are created equal, and some spots give you way better loot with far less risk of getting ambushed by enemy squads. If you’re playing Erangel, the best spot where to use royal key in BGMI is the locked crate hidden in the back of Georgopol’s northern military base warehouse. Erangel’s Georgopol Military Base Crate has a 90% chance of dropping at least one level 3 armor piece and an airdrop weapon, and most players skip the northern warehouse to loot the port or southern residential areas instead.
For Miramar players, Miramar’s El Pozo Bunker Crate is your best bet. The bunker is tucked under the old boxing ring in the center of El Pozo, and you’ll only run into other players if the first zone drops directly over the area. We found this crate usually has a thermal scope and plenty of 7.62 ammo for DMRs and sniper rifles, which is perfect for Miramar’s long open sightlines.
If you prefer fast-paced Livik matches, go for Livik’s Power Plant Secret Crate located in the basement of the main power plant building. Livik matches only last 15 minutes, so most players rush to loot the above-ground floors and forget to check the basement. This crate almost always has a fully kitted Groza or AUG, which is more than enough to dominate the rest of the short match.
When to Avoid Using Your Royal Key Entirely
Sometimes holding onto your royal key is smarter than using it as soon as you find a crate, even if the spot looks safe. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen random teammates waste a royal key on a crate in the middle of an open field, only to get picked off by a sniper 2 seconds before they finish opening it. Royal keys are single-use only, so you can’t get it back once you start interacting with a crate, even if you get interrupted mid-loot.
Keep an eye out for these clear red flags that mean you should save your key for a later spot:
Another common mistake is using a key when you already have full level 3 gear and a top-tier weapon. If you’re already set for the late game, you don’t get much extra value from opening a royal crate, and you’re just drawing unnecessary attention to your position. Save the key for your next match, or give it to a squad mate who needs better gear instead.
What Loot You Can Expect From Royal Key Crates
You might be wondering why royal keys are so sought after, and the answer is simple: they give you access to the highest tier of loot in the game without having to chase risky airdrops. Every royal key crate has a guaranteed set of high-value items, plus a few random bonus rewards that change based on the map and current in-game event.
In all our test runs, every royal crate had at least three level 3 gear pieces, 15+ healing items, enough ammo for two primary weapons, and one airdrop-exclusive gun. The only consistent way to get the M249 without chasing airdrops is from royal key crates, which is perfect for squad players who need a heavy weapon for holding compounds or suppressing enemy pushes.
You also have a 15% chance of getting exclusive permanent character skins or weapon skins from royal crates, which you can’t get from any other in-game loot source. We got two rare AKM skins from our 27 test runs, so the chance is low but definitely worth going for if you collect cosmetic items. Just don’t go into a crate expecting a skin, because you’ll usually get combat loot instead.
Pro Tips to Maximize Royal Key Value Every Match
Even if you pick the perfect spot to use your key, you can still make small mistakes that cost you the loot or your entire match. These simple tips are based on hundreds of hours of playtime, and they’ll help you get the most out of every royal key you find.
Always assign one squad member to watch your back while you interact with the crate. Opening a royal crate takes 7 full seconds, and you can’t move or shoot while you’re doing it. Having a teammate cover all nearby angles will stop enemy squads from sneaking up on you while you’re vulnerable. If you’re playing solo, throw two or three smoke grenades around the crate before you start opening it, so snipers can’t line up a shot on you.
Prioritize crates that are inside the final 2 zones if you save your key for the late game. Late game royal crates often have extra healing items and throwables that you’ll need for the final circle fights, and you won’t have to travel far to get to the next play zone after looting. Don’t save your key for too long though, because you’ll lose it if you get eliminated before you can use it.
If you’re playing with random teammates, don’t mention that you have a royal key in open voice chat. There’s always a chance a random will team kill you to steal the key for themselves, especially if you’re playing in ranked mode. Wait until you reach the crate spot to tell them what you’re doing, and make sure they’re not aiming at you while you open it.
At the end of the day, the royal key is one of the most valuable rare items in BGMI, and using it well can turn a rough early game into a dominant win. You don’t have to overcomplicate it, just stick to the low-traffic, high-loot spots we outlined, avoid the common mistakes we listed, and you’ll get way more value out of every key you find. Next time you log in and find a royal key in your inventory, you’ll know exactly where to use royal key in BGMI to get that edge over every other squad in the match. Happy looting, and we’ll see you on the battlefield.