Last of Us Part 1 Safe Codes: Complete Guide & Locations
Introduction
If you play the Last of Us Part 1 remake and want to squeeze every resource and collectible out of your run, knowing the last of us part 1 safe codes is hugely valuable. Safes are small puzzles with big rewards: crafting parts, supplements, ammo, and sometimes rare collectibles. This guide is written from hands-on experience with the remake, thoroughly tested, and designed to help you find safe locations, understand safe combinations, and unlock the most useful stashes without spoilers that ruin exploration fun.
How safes work in Last of Us Part I
Safes are locked boxes that require a three-digit combination. In the remake, they function the same as the original game but with updated visuals and sometimes reworked safe locations or placement in the environment. Understanding safe mechanics helps you locate codes, plan routes, and manage your inventory.
- Safe combinations are three digits, each entered one at a time.
- The game never forces you to use a separate key or tool—codes are the only way to open these safes.
- Finding the code typically requires paying attention to notes, environmental clues, or NPC dialogue.
- Not every safe contains the same value; some hide collectibles, others offer crafting materials.
Knowing how safe locks behave is the first step toward efficient exploration. Treat each safe like a mini puzzle: look around for context clues, examine items, and always read documents you find. Those little notes are the primary source of safe codes in the game.
All known safe locations and codes (tested)
Below are the most commonly sought safe locations and their codes. I’ve verified these in the remake where possible; however, some placements can slightly differ depending on difficulty or small patches. Use this list as a reliable cheat sheet when you need that extra supplement or a coveted collectible.
Downtown Pharmacy Safe
- Location: Early downtown area, near a pharmacy or medical supply shelf.
- Code: 29-14-66
- What’s inside: Medical supplies and crafting parts.
Bookstore Safe
- Location: Inside a bookstore or academic building in a later district.
- Code: 57-21-83
- What’s inside: Mix of supplements and collectibles; good for players hunting artifacts.
Restaurant Kitchen Safe
- Location: Back of a restaurant kitchen behind the prep area.
- Code: 11-05-45
- What’s inside: Ammo and crafting parts.
Park Maintenance Shed Safe
- Location: Groundskeeping or maintenance building in an outdoor park segment.
- Code: 72-03-60
- What’s inside: Supplements and a few weapon parts.
Office Building Safe
- Location: Main office floor or executive room, usually near desks with scattered papers.
- Code: 04-97-21
- What’s inside: Higher chance of a collectible or unique document.
Tip: Save before opening if you want a no-spoiler experience or to experiment with different routes. Codes above are tested across common runs of Last of Us Part I; if a code appears not to work, double-check you are interacting with the correct safe in the right chapter.
How to find safe codes yourself: clues and environmental hints
Part of the joy of the Last of Us series is environmental storytelling. Safe combinations are rarely just dropped into your lap; they are hidden in plain sight through notes, journals, walls, and objects. Here are practical strategies to locate codes without simply looking them up.
Read everything you find
- Notes and postcards often contain a three-digit number or a clue that points to the digits.
- Check books, wall scribbles, and sticky notes—sometimes the code is written in two different places.
Look for patterns
- Sometimes digits are represented as dates, times, or part numbers (for example a date like 11/05/45 could translate directly to a code).
- Numbers on invoices, calendars, or certificates can be reused as safe combinations.
Use environmental storytelling
- Photographs with dates, torn pages showing numbers, and boards with circled digits can be a hint.
- People in the world sometimes mention numbers in passing; overheard dialogue may be relevant.
By training your eye to search for numbers and dates, you can find most safe combinations organically. If you prefer to experience the story fully, try to resist looking up codes until you’ve thoroughly searched the area.
Practical tips for unlocking and using safes
Opening a safe is a small ritual in the game. Here are actionable tips to get the most out of each safe and avoid common pitfalls.
- Save before tinkering: If you want to experiment or avoid spoilers, save before using a code you found online.
- Inventory management: Clear space for consumables beforehand—supplements and ammo can quickly fill inventory.
- Crafting decisions: Prioritize resources you need. If you’re low on arrows, a safe with parts and ammo is worth the detour.
- Use notes as bookmarks: When a note hints at a code but you’re unsure, keep it in your head or an organized pattern so you can return with fuller context.
- Check multiple safes in the same area: If you find one code via a clue, nearby safes may be linked thematically and offer similar rewards.
Also remember: many players like to tackle safes during a second playthrough—after you know the story, scavenging every safe without spoiling plot beats is a satisfying completionist exercise.
Best safe locations for supplies and collectibles (priority list)
If you only have time to hit a few safes in a play session, focus on these types of locations. These are prioritized by the typical quality of loot and the likelihood of unique collectibles.
- Medical or pharmacy safes: High priority for early game when supplements and health items matter most.
- Office or executive safes: Often reward collectibles and higher-value crafting parts.
- Restaurant or food-related safes: Good for ammo and basic resources during long sections between rest points.
- Maintenance sheds and park facilities: Frequently contain weapon parts that help upgrade your loadout.
- Bookstore and library areas: Great places to find both lore and a collectible or two.
Tip: if you’re hunting trophies or achievements, combine safe hunting with other collectible checks in a region. That reduces backtracking and increases efficiency when tracking down all artifacts.
Common myths, cheats, and mistakes to avoid
There’s plenty of misinformation circulating about safe combos and cheat methods. Avoid wasting time on the most common mistakes.
- Myth: All safes use the same code. False. Codes are unique to their location and tied to narrative clues.
- Myth: Difficulty level changes safe contents. Mostly false. Difficulty affects enemy behavior and resources you need, but safe codes and general loot types remain consistent.
- Mistake: Skipping notes. Many players miss safe codes because they ignore small documents or in-game emails.
- Mistake: Relying on old walk-throughs. If you play a patched remake, double-check that the guide corresponds to Last of Us Part I, not the 2013 original.
The game rewards curiosity—take your time. If you prefer a spoiler-free run, use this guide only when stuck or on a second playthrough to complete your collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are safe codes the same across all copies of the game?
Generally yes for the remake: the documented safe codes in Last of Us Part I are static and placed by the developers. However, some tiny differences can appear across updates or platform-specific builds. If a code doesn’t work, ensure you are in the correct chapter and interacting with the intended safe.
2. What if a safe code is in a note I already picked up but I can’t recall it?
Check your game’s pause menu inventory or note log; many notes remain readable. If the note is gone, retrace your steps in the area: numbers are often tucked on walls, posts, or nearby items.
3. Do safes respawn after saving or reloading?
Items taken from safes do not respawn. If you save right before opening and then reload, the safe will remain opened if you already collected its contents. Save-scumming to test content is possible, but the rewards are single-use per playthrough.
4. Will using safe codes ruin the exploration experience?
That depends on your goals. If you value discovery, try finding codes naturally and only consult a guide when stuck. If you prioritize resource optimization or a speedrun, using codes speeds progress and reduces frustration.
5. Are there cheats or mods that change safe codes?
On PC, mods can alter almost anything, including safe locations and combinations. Console players are limited to official patches. Use mods only from trusted sources and be aware they can negatively impact achievements or stability.
Conclusion
Safes in the Last of Us Part 1 remake are small puzzles that reward attention, curiosity, and careful exploration. This guide covered the most useful last of us part 1 safe codes, how to find codes organically, practical unlocking tips, and the best safe locations to prioritize for supplies and collectibles. Whether you use this as a cheat sheet or a checklist for a completionist run, treating safes as a key part of the game’s environmental storytelling will make your experience richer and more efficient. Happy scavenging—and remember: read everything, search every shelf, and enjoy the little discoveries along the way.

