Robbery vs Burglary
Robbery and burglary are both property crimes, but they describe very different acts. Robbery involves taking property from a person by force or threat of force — it requires direct confrontation. Burglary involves unlawful entry into a building (often a home or business) with intent to commit a crime inside — confrontation isn't required. People often use the words interchangeably; the law treats them as distinct, with different elements and different consequences.
Last reviewed on 2026-04-27.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Robbery | Burglary |
|---|---|---|
| Core element | Taking property by force or threat from a person | Entering a structure unlawfully with intent to commit a crime |
| Confrontation | Yes — between perpetrator and victim | Not required — often happens when no one is present |
| Use of force | Yes — actual or threatened | Not required |
| Property taken | Yes — the act of taking is part of the offence | Not required — the intent to commit the crime is enough |
| Typical setting | Public places, vehicles, sometimes homes during a home-invasion | Houses, businesses, vehicles (in some jurisdictions) |
| Severity | Usually a felony — armed robbery is among the most serious | Felony — degree depends on building type and circumstances |
| Common confusion | "My house was robbed last night" | Almost always meant: "My house was burgled last night" |
Key Differences
1. Person versus place
Robbery happens to a person. The perpetrator confronts a victim and takes property by force or threat. "Hand over your wallet" is robbery; the victim is present and threatened.
Burglary happens to a place. The perpetrator unlawfully enters a building (or other defined structure) with intent to commit a crime inside. The victim may not be present at all.
2. Force or threat
Robbery requires the use of force or the threat of force. Without that element, taking property is theft, not robbery. Pickpocketing without confrontation is theft (or larceny), not robbery.
Burglary doesn't require force against a person. Picking a lock, climbing through an open window, or using deception to enter can all qualify if the intent to commit a crime inside is present.
3. Property taken
Robbery requires the taking. The property changes hands as part of the offence.
Burglary is complete the moment the perpetrator enters with the necessary intent. Even if they take nothing, the offence has occurred. (Many burglaries do involve theft inside, but the burglary itself is the unlawful entry plus intent.)
4. Severity
Robbery is almost always a felony. Aggravating factors — a weapon, injury, multiple victims — increase severity. Armed robbery and aggravated robbery are among the most serious charges short of homicide.
Burglary is also a felony in most jurisdictions, with degrees that depend on whether the building is a residence, whether it's occupied, whether the perpetrator was armed, and time of day in some statutes. Residential burglary tends to be more serious than commercial.
5. Common everyday confusion
Almost everyone says "my house was robbed" when they mean a burglary. In legal terms, a house can't be robbed — only a person can.
A house is burgled; a person is robbed. The everyday usage will probably never go away, but the legal distinction is clear.
6. Where they overlap
A home invasion robbery — entering a home with force and confronting the occupants — is both. The unlawful entry with intent makes it burglary; the use of force against the occupants makes it robbery. Charges typically include both.
A simple break-in while the occupants are away, with the perpetrator stealing items, is burglary plus theft, not robbery — there's no person being directly threatened.
When to Choose Each
Choose Robbery if:
- Confrontational property crimes — muggings, holdups, carjackings, home invasions where victims are confronted.
- Cases involving weapons, threats, or force against a person.
- Anywhere the act of taking property occurs face-to-face.
Choose Burglary if:
- Property crimes involving unlawful entry into structures.
- Cases where occupants are absent or unaware.
- Most break-ins of homes, offices, and shops where no one is confronted.
Worked example
Two scenarios on the same night. (1) A masked person walks up to someone leaving an ATM, displays a knife, and demands their cash. The victim hands it over. That's a robbery. (2) Someone forces open a back door of an empty house, takes electronics and jewellery, and leaves before the owners return. That's a burglary (and a theft). Different crimes, different elements, different charges.
Common Mistakes
- "My house was robbed." Common but technically wrong — your house was burgled. You can be robbed; the house can't.
- "All break-ins are burglary." Only those with intent to commit a crime inside. A locksmith helping a friend get in is not committing burglary.
- "Robbery requires actual injury." No — threatened force is enough; injury is an aggravating factor.
- "You can be charged with both for the same act." Yes, in some scenarios — home invasion robbery often results in both charges.
This is general educational information, not personalised advice. See the disclaimer for the full note.