AWID vs. DoorKing vs. HID: Which Format Does Your Gate Use?
If your gated community or parking gate has been issuing cards that simply don’t work, there is a good chance the wrong format was ordered. DoorKing gate readers use the AWID proximity protocol — not the HID standard that dominates office buildings — and mixing the two produces cards that read as blank. American Key Cards supplies AWID-format DKProx-compatible cards and fobs directly, without a dealer account, programmed to your facility code.
Why Three Different Formats Matter at the Gate
Most people assume that any 125 kHz proximity card works in any 125 kHz reader. That is not true. Three distinct air-interface protocols dominate gate access installations in North America:
- AWID 26-bit — used by AWID SP-6820 and SR-2400 readers, and by DoorKing 1815-series readers (which are AWID readers under a DoorKing brand)
- DoorKing DKProx — the DoorKing branded line of AWID-format credentials; same protocol, different label
- HID Prox H10301 — the most widely deployed office-building format, used by HID MaxiProx
5375, ProxPro5355, MiniProx5365, and ProxPoint Plus6005readers
All three transmit standard 26-bit Wiegand data to the access panel. The difference lies entirely in the encoding layer between card and reader. HID cards and AWID cards both carry a facility code (1–255) and card number (1–65,535), but the RF modulation that carries those bits to the reader is different. An AWID reader cannot decode an HID card, and an HID reader cannot decode an AWID card.
This is the root cause of the most common gate card ordering mistake: a property manager with a DoorKing system orders standard HID-compatible cards because they are easy to find, and receives a batch of cards that trigger no response from any reader on the property.
How to Identify Your Gate Reader
Before ordering any replacement cards, confirm your reader type. Here is what to look for:
DoorKing readers are almost always integrated into a telephone-entry or intercom column — the full unit carries the DoorKing or DKS logo. The proximity reader module inside is a DoorKing 1815-series unit. Common sub-models include:
1815-300,1815-301,1815-302— flush-mount DKProx readers1815-330,1815-331— surface-mount DKProx readers1815-281(AWID SP-6820) and1815-282(AWID MM-6800) — DoorKing-rebranded AWID readers
If you see a standalone reader column (not an intercom) with the AWID logo, you have a direct AWID installation. Look for model numbers SP-6820, SR-2400, KP-6840, or MM-6800.
HID readers at gate installations are less common but do occur — especially at commercial parking facilities that installed office-standard access control infrastructure. HID readers show the HID logo and carry model codes starting with 5 (MaxiProx, ProxPro, MiniProx) or 6 (ProxPoint).
If labels have weathered away, pull the reader from the wall and check the back panel or the access controller enclosure for model documentation from the original installation.
DoorKing DKProx: The AWID Format in Disguise
The DoorKing DKProx line is the most searched gate card format in the U.S. aftermarket — and the most frequently mis-sourced. DoorKing sells these credentials exclusively through its authorized dealer network, which locks out property managers who want to reorder cards independently.
The OEM part numbers for DKProx cards are:
1508-120— standard clamshell card1508-121— ISO printable card (for photo ID or graphic printing)1508-123— key fob1508-021— adhesive disk credential1508-198— dual DKProx / UHF credential (for combined gate and UHF lane access)
All of these use the AWID 26-bit protocol at 125 kHz. Facility code range is 0–255; card number range is 0–65,535. American Key Cards produces compatible DKProx-format cards and fobs to the same specification, without requiring a DoorKing dealer account.
AWID SP-6820 and SR-2400 Standalone Readers
Some gate and parking installations — particularly multi-family apartment complexes and surface parking lots — use AWID readers directly rather than DoorKing integrated systems. The SP-6820 and SR-2400 are the most common AWID reader models in these deployments.
The card line for direct AWID installations uses part numbers like CS-AWID-0-0 (clamshell), GR-AWID-0-0 (printable ISO card), AW-PROXLINC-CS, and AW-PROXLINC-GR. These are functionally interchangeable with DKProx cards at the RF level — both use the same AWID 26-bit air interface. You can read more about standalone AWID installations on the AWID 26-bit format page.
HID Prox H10301 at Gate Installations
HID H10301 26-bit cards (OEM part numbers 1386, 1326, 1346, 1586) are the right choice when your gate reader carries an HID logo. These are far more common at commercial parking garages and office building entry points than at residential gates. If you have confirmed HID hardware, standard 26-bit H10301-format cards will work — and these are the most widely available format in the aftermarket. More detail is available on the HID Prox H10301 format page.
Format Comparison: AWID / DKProx vs. HID H10301
| Feature | AWID / DKProx (1508-120, CS-AWID-0-0) | HID Prox H10301 (1386, 1326) |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 125 kHz | 125 kHz |
| Bit format | 26-bit Wiegand (AWID protocol) | 26-bit Wiegand (H10301) |
| Facility code range | 0–255 | 0–255 |
| Card number range | 0–65,535 | 0–65,535 |
| Air interface | AWID proprietary | HID proprietary |
| Interchangeable? | No — format-specific readers required | No — format-specific readers required |
| Cloneable? | Yes (no encryption) | Yes (no encryption) |
| Typical gate brand | DoorKing, AWID | HID, Identiv, multi-tech |
| AKC compatible card | Yes — DKProx/AWID format | Yes — H10301 format |
Both formats operate at 125 kHz and carry the same 26-bit data structure. Neither carries cryptographic protection. The distinction that matters is the air-interface encoding — AWID readers need AWID cards, HID readers need HID cards.
Cloneability: What It Means for Gate Security
Because neither AWID DKProx nor HID H10301 uses encryption, both formats can technically be duplicated with commercially available RFID copier tools. This is a known characteristic of 125 kHz proximity technology generally, not a flaw specific to any one brand.
For most residential gate and parking installations, the practical security concern is unauthorized card duplication by tenants or former employees, not sophisticated attacks. The access panel’s facility code and card number enrollment database is the primary security control — deactivating a card number immediately removes access regardless of how many physical copies exist.
If your installation requires clone-resistant credentials, you would need to move to a 13.56 MHz smart card platform (such as MIFARE DESFire or HID iCLASS SE), which requires replacing both readers and cards. American Key Cards does not supply DESFire or iCLASS SE credentials, as those secured formats cannot be reproduced outside the OEM issuance chain.
Ordering Compatible Gate Cards: What You Need
Whether your gate uses DoorKing DKProx, standalone AWID, or HID format, the ordering information is the same:
- Facility code — a number from 0 to 255 that identifies your site. This is programmed into the access controller and must match every card you issue. Find it on an existing card label, in the controller’s programming menu, or in your installer’s records.
- Card number range — the individual card numbers you want to assign, from 1 to 65,535.
- Quantity and form factor — clamshell card, ISO printable card, or key fob.
- Format confirmation — AWID/DKProx or HID H10301.
American Key Cards programs each batch to your exact facility code and card number range before shipment. Cards arrive ready for enrollment in your DoorKing 1835/1830, AWID-based panel, or HID-compatible controller — no programming hardware needed on your end.
Why Compatible Cards Cost Less Than OEM
DoorKing sells 1508-120 and 1508-121 cards only through authorized dealers, who add their own margin. AWID cards go through a similar distributor chain. American Key Cards is a direct supplier of compatible-by-specification credentials — we are not affiliated with DoorKing, AWID, or HID Global, and we do not charge dealer markup. The cards are programmed to the same format specification and read identically in the same readers.
The cost difference is not a quality difference. It is a distribution difference.
Confirm Your Format Before You Order
The single most important step before ordering replacement gate cards is confirming your reader brand and model. A batch of HID cards ordered for a DoorKing system is wasted money. A batch of DKProx cards ordered for an HID-reader installation is equally useless. Take five minutes to check the reader housing or pull your installer paperwork before placing any order.
If you are not sure what format your gate uses, contact us with photos of your reader or the model numbers from your access controller. We will confirm the correct format and provide a quote for compatible cards or fobs in the quantity you need.
Frequently asked questions
Will HID proximity cards work in a DoorKing gate reader?
No. DoorKing DKProx readers use the AWID air-interface protocol, which is distinct from HID Prox encoding. Both systems output standard 26-bit Wiegand data to the access panel, but the RF communication between card and reader is different. An HID card will not trigger a DKProx reader, and vice versa. You need AWID-format cards — such as DKProx 1508-series or an AWID-compatible aftermarket card.
How do I know if my gate system uses DoorKing, standalone AWID, or HID readers?
Look at the reader housing itself. DoorKing readers carry the DoorKing or DKS logo and are usually part of a telephone-entry or intercom unit — look for model numbers starting with 1815. Standalone AWID readers show the AWID logo and model codes like SP-6820 or SR-2400. HID readers display the HID logo and model numbers such as 5355 or 5365. If you cannot find labels, check your original installer paperwork or the access controller enclosure.
Are DoorKing DKProx cards the same as AWID cards?
They use the same underlying AWID protocol, so they are functionally interchangeable at the RF level. DoorKing OEM cards (1508-120, 1508-121) are produced to the AWID 26-bit specification and will read on any AWID-compatible reader. American Key Cards supplies AWID-format DKProx-compatible cards and fobs that work on DoorKing 1815-series readers, sold direct without a dealer account.
What information do I need to order replacement gate access cards?
For DoorKing DKProx or AWID-format gates, you need your facility code (a number between 0 and 255) and the card number range you want programmed. For HID 26-bit gates, you need the same information in the same range. Check your existing card label, the access controller programming sheet, or contact your original installer. If you are unsure of your facility code, contact us — we can often help identify it from your existing cards.
