Money Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content. Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Many featured companies advertise with us. How we make money.
How Much Does A Piano Weigh?
By Susan Doktor MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
People don’t give much thought to how much a piano weighs — until it comes time to move it, that is. Piano moving is a specialty. While many professional movers offer the service, a lot of them will subcontract the job to a dedicated piano moving service. Generally speaking, moving a piano isn’t something you want to take on yourself.
Pianos come in all shapes and sizes, from today’s lightweight digital pianos to Oscar Peterson’s outsize Bösendorfer Concert Grand 290 Imperial. Oscar’s piano was a monster, featuring nine extra keys and weighing in at a whopping 1,217 pounds. But you can buy an 88-key Yamaha digital keyboard nowadays that offers great sound and weighs under 25 pounds. Such keyboards are the choice of many touring musicians, simply because acoustic pianos are so unwieldy.
If you already own a piano, you may be wondering how much it weighs and how much it will cost should you ever need to move it. Let’s review several categories of pianos and estimate their average weights. That will give you a sense of what you’re in for come moving day.
Table of Contents
- Anatomy of a Piano
- How Much Does a Piano Weigh?
- Types of Pianos and Their Weight
- How to Move a Piano
- How Much Does It Cost to Move a Piano?
- Piano Weight and Moving FAQs
- How We Determined Piano Weights
- Summary of Our Guide to Piano Weights
Anatomy of a Piano
Before we discuss how much pianos weigh and how to move them, it’s helpful to understand the key parts of a piano and how they contribute to the instrument’s weight. Pianos are complicated to move, in part, because many parts of the piano must be protected in a particular way before it can be safely moved. Here are the features that all pianos, with the exception of most digital pianos, have in common:
- Piano housing
- Legs
- Soundboard
- Plate
- Piano keys
- Hammers
- Tuning Pins
- Dampers
- Pedals
- Bass and treble springs
- Bass and treble bridges
- Wheels/casters
How Much Does a Piano Weigh?
The answer depends on the type, make and model of your piano, of course. Pianos are constructed differently. Some feature cast iron plates, which add considerable weight, while others are made using aluminum plates, for example. An aluminum plate may weigh 60% less than a cast iron plate.
Another factor that affects a piano’s overall weight is the wood that’s used to construct it. Unlike a piano’s soundboard, which is typically made of a soft wood like spruce, a piano’s frame is built with hardwood. Some woods are heavier than others. All other things being equal, a piano constructed of mahogany will weigh less than one made of maple. But no matter what wood is used to construct them, a spinet will weigh less than a Steinway & Sons Model B. It takes a lot more wood to build a grand piano.
Below you’ll find average weights for the most common types of pianos — and a few uncommon types, as well. Digital pianos are the lightest weight. Upright piano weights are higher and grand piano weights are higher still.
These average weights were figured using both popular piano brands and more eclectic piano models. If you’re shopping for a brand new piano, its weight and dimensions will be readily available from the piano’s manufacturer or your musical instruments retailer.
Types of pianos and their weight
Spinet Piano
| Height (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 36”-40”./91-101 cm | 200-400 lbs/ 90-181kg |
Console Piano
| Height (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 38”-43”/96-109 cm | 350-450 lbs/159kg-204kg |
Studio Piano
| Height (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 44”-48”./111cm-122cm | 400-500 lbs/158kg-227kg |
Upright Piano
| Height (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 50”-60”/127-152cm | 300-500 lbs/136-227kg |
Digital Piano
| Height (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 27.5”-30”./70 to 76cm | 100-300 lbs/45-136kg |
Grand Piano
| Length (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 5′ 9”-6′ 2″/175-188cm | 700-1,200 lbs/317-544kg |
Baby Grand Piano
| Length (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 4’9″-5’4″/144-162cm | 500-650 lbs./227-294kg |
Medium Grand Piano
| Height (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 5’5”-6.3”/165-190cm | 600 lbs/272kg |
Living Room (Parlor) Grand Piano
| Height (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 5’9”- 6’/175- 182cm | 600 lbs/272kg |
Semi-Concert (Ballroom) Grand Piano
| Length (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 6′ 11″-7′ 8″/210-233cm | 800-900 lbs/362-408 kg |
Concert Grand Piano
| Length (in, cm) | Weight (lbs, kgs) |
| 7’4”-9’6”/223-289cm | 900-1,200 lbs/408-544kg |
How to Move a Piano
The easiest way to move a piano is to hire a professional to do it for you. Piano movers have the proper moving equipment and the muscle to move your instrument safely. But if your budget can’t accommodate the cost of professional moving, it’s possible to move it yourself, provided you have a moving truck and can round up at least three able-bodied, cautious buddies to help you.
Equipment you will need:
- Moving blankets and towels
- Bubble wrap
- Tape
- Piano dolly
- Skidboard
- Ratchet straps
According to Moving.com, a leading provider of real estate and moving services, here’s a breakdown of the piano moving process:
- Make sure your moving truck is equipped with a sturdy ramp. Clean the inside of the vehicle thoroughly.
- Wear proper clothing, including gloves to give you greater control and steel-toed boots to protect your feet.
- Measure your piano and your skidboard. Then measure your doorways, staircases, and hallways. Pay special attention to any tricky spots in your piano’s path, like turns in a hallway, wall-mounted light fixtures and staircase banisters. You may want to protect these areas with moving blankets or baby bumpers to prevent damage.
- Cover any floors, such as ceramic and wood, that are subject to scratching or breakage.
- You’ll need some kind of dolly to move your piano. If you’re moving your piano up or down stairs, consider buying or renting a specialized stair dolly. If you’re using a regular dolly, outfit any stairs with ramps or sturdy planks so you can roll your piano up and down the stairs easily.
- Next, move on to preparing the piano itself.
- Use bubble wrap to cover the keys and pedals of your piano to prevent damage.
- Close the lid of the piano and wrap a foam packing sheet or old towel around it. Use tape to secure it.
- Cover the entire piano with moving blankets, ensuring that the front, back and sides are completely covered. Use tape to keep the blankets in place.
- Further secure the moving blankets with ratchet straps or moving straps.
- Remove the piano’s legs and music rack and wrap them separately in bubble wrap.
- Prepare your team for lifting the piano by having at least two people on opposite sides of the instrument to lift it, and a third person to slide the dolly underneath.
- Use proper lifting techniques by bending your knees to avoid injury.
- Gently tilt the piano back and slip the piano board underneath it. Carefully position it on the board. Have several team members help to avoid damage.
- With someone on each side of the piano, guide it through the house and onto the moving truck.
- When moving the piano through the house, take extra care around doorways and corners to minimize the risk of damage to the piano or the house.
- Use ratchet straps to tie the piano into place on the truck.
- When unloading the piano from the truck, position at least one person in front of the piano (more depending on the piano’s weight) for better control.
- Position the piano on the dolly again and move it to its final position.
- Unwrap and reassemble the piano as necessary.
How much does it cost to move a piano?
The major factors that determine piano moving costs are the weight of the piano in question and the distance between your departure point and your destination. In addition, grand pianos require more labor and preparation to move than other types of pianos. They’re more complicated and delicate than other types of piano, so you’ll pay a premium if you have one of those big babies.
The national average cost of moving a piano is $400. Expect to pay between $200 and $1,000 to move an upright piano, depending on how far you’re shipping it. A grand piano will cost about $200 to move locally, but if you’re moving it cross country, it can cost as much as $5,000.
Some moving companies figure costs according to an hourly rate. Before you book your piano move, compare quotes from several moving companies. Pianos are delicate and valuable so be sure to research the reputation of each company you’re considering. Ask your musician friends who have moved a piano for their recommendations, as well.
Piano Weight and Moving FAQs
How We Determined Piano Weights
We consulted various online resources to come up with average weights for multiple piano types. We referred to local and long distance moving companies’ weight estimates and others from musical experts. We referred to actual piano specs published by piano manufacturers and retailers.
Summary of Our Guide to Piano Weights
Here are the key takeaways from our guide to piano weights:
- Pianos run the gamut from 300 or so pounds up to 1,200 or more.
- The same type of piano may weigh more or less, depending on its size, brand and model.
- Properly preparing a piano for moving is essential. The best moving companies have the know-how to do this.
- Piano moving prices vary by piano weight and distance.
- Research moving companies carefully. Get estimates from both local and interstate moving companies to find the best deal.
- Moving a piano is very challenging. You’ll need special equipment and help from at least three friends.
