Pianos have a very large range of sizes and different weights. The key to finding out how much your piano weighs starts by figuring out exactly which type of piano you have. If you know the exact model, you can always look up that information to get the exact weight. In this guide, we breakdown the different types of pianos and how much each of them might weigh.
How much does a piano weigh?
The average vertical or upright piano can weigh anywhere from 200-1000 lbs (91-545 kg). The average baby grand piano can weigh anywhere from 500-600 lbs (227-272 kg). The average professional grand piano can weigh around 700 lbs (317 kg), and a concert grand piano can weigh up to 1200 lbs (544 kg).
Use the chart and information below to help you find out how heavy your exact piano might be.
Here is a helpful chart to get a quick sense of how much your piano might weigh.
| Vertical Pianos | Approx. Weight |
|---|---|
| Spinet Piano (36″-40″ height) | 200-400lbs (91-181kg) |
| Console Piano (40″-43″) | 350-450lbs (159-204kg) |
| Studio Piano (44″-48″) | 400-500lbs (181-227kg) |
| Upright Piano (48″-60″) | 500-1000lbs (227-454kg) |
| Grand Pianos | Approx. Weight |
| Petite Baby Grand (4’6″-5′ length) | 400-500lbs (181-227kg) |
| Baby Grand Piano (5′-5’6″) | 500-600lbs (227-272kg) |
| Medium Grand Piano (5’6″-5’9″) | 600lbs (272kg) |
| Living Room Grand Piano (5’10”) | 700lbs (318kg) |
| Professional Grand Piano (6′) | 700lbs (318kg) |
| Parlor / Recital Grand Piano (6’3″-6’9″) | 750lbs (340kg) |
| Semi-Concert Grand Piano (7′-8’6″) | 900lbs (408kg) |
| Concert Grand Piano (8’11″+) | 900-1200lbs (408-544kg) |
When measuring the length of grand pianos, you measure from the front of the keyboard with the lid closed to the center of the tail at the back (Longest points with the lids closed).
If you’re not sure which piano you have, scroll further down to check out what each of these kinds of pianos look like and their sizes to determine which one you have.
What Causes A Piano To Be So Heavy?
The combination of thick pieces of lumber, the heavy cast iron plate (sometimes called a harp), and numerous other components make the piano one of the heaviest musical instruments on the market.
The heavyweight of a piano mostly due to the cast iron harp. This component makes up almost 70% of the overall weight of this instrument.
Here is a general breakdown of how much different types of pianos weight so you can get an idea of how much yours might weigh if you’re attempting to move one.
How Much Does a Vertical and Upright Piano Weigh?
Vertical pianos are the typical piano that you might find in your school auditorium or music school. They have flat backs and are square / rectangle in shape. There are 4 types of vertical pianos that vary in size: Spinet Pianos, Console Pianos, Studio Pianos, and Upright Pianos. Vertical pianos are a bit easier to move than grand pianos because they weigh less and don’t require any removal of components.
Here is a general size and weight of these kinds of Vertical (Upright) pianos:
Spinet Piano Weight & Size
Height: 36”-40” (91cm-101 cm)
Weight: 200-400 lbs (91kg-181kg)
Spinet pianos weigh anywhere between 200-400 lbs (91kg-181kg) and are the smallest of the vertical pianos. They are only 36”-40” (91cm-101 cm) in height and can usually be moved from room to room by two strong people.
Console Pianos Weight & Size
Height: 40”-43” (101cm-109cm)
Weight: 350-450 lbs (159kg-204kg)
Console pianos weigh anywhere between 350-450 lbs (159kg-204kg) and are the most popular of the vertical pianos. They are a bit taller than at 40”-43” (101cm-109cm) in height. Two people are usually able to handle a Console as long as there are no stairs or difficult obstacles.
Studio Piano Weight & Size
Height: 44”-48” (111cm-122cm)
Weight: 400-500 lbs (158kg-227kg)
Studio pianos weigh anywhere between 400-500 lbs. They are a bit taller at 44”-48” (111cm-122cm) in height. This type is common in music schools because they’re considered the best compromise between size and tone. A minimum of three people will be needed to move a piano of this size.
Upright Piano Weight & Size
Height: 48”-60” (122cm-152cm)
Weight: 500-1000 lbs (227kg-454 kg)
Upright pianos weigh anywhere between 500-1000 lbs (158kg-227kg). They are the tallest of the vertical pianos at 48”-60” (122cm-152cm) in height. Today this term is usually used to refer to the older, tall pianos – Grandma’s piano. They will take four people or more to move one.
The weights of vertical pianos vary based on the exact one you have. The weight variance is due to the size and what type of wood the piano is made of.
Next up we get into the weights and sizes of grand pianos.
How Much Does A Grand Piano Weigh?
Grand pianos vary in size from small grand pianos all the way to concert grand pianos. If you don’t know exactly which kind of grand piano you have, you may want to take out some measuring tape to get a general idea of which type you might have. Once you know exactly which size grand piano you have, you can get a general idea of how much it weighs using the information below.
Note: Grand pianos are measured by the length from the very front of the keyboard to the farthest end of the piano along the spine, with the lid closed.
Here are the different types of grand pianos along with their weights and lengths.
Small / Petite Grand Piano Weight & Size
Length: 4’6” – 5’ (137cm-152cm)
Weight: 400-500 lbs (181kg-227kg)
Small / Petite Grand Pianos weigh anywhere between 400-500 lbs (181kg-227kg). This is the smallest of the horizontal pianos at only 4’6” – 5’ (137cm-152cm) in length. Any grand piano shorter than 5 feet in length is considered a small, petite, or miniature grand piano.
Baby Grand Piano Weight & Size
Length: 5′-5’6″ (152cm-168cm)
Weight: 500-600 lbs (226kg-272kg)
Baby grand pianos weigh anywhere between 500-600 lbs. They are a very popular type of piano at 5′-5’6″ (152cm-168cm) in length. Baby grand pianos are a popular choice for musicians because of their sound quality, aesthetic appeal, and affordability.
Specs & Features of The Steinway Model S – Baby Grand Piano
Medium Grand Piano Weight & Size
Length: 5’6″-5’9″ (167cm-175cm)
Weight: 500-600 lbs (226kg-272kg)
Medium grand pianos weigh anywhere from 500-600 lbs. They are another popular choice and are about 5’6″-5’9″ (167cm-175cm) in length.
Specs & Features of Medium Grand Piano – Model M
Living Room Grand Piano
Length: 5’10” (177 cm)
Weight: 700 lbs (318kg)
Living room grand pianos weigh about 700 lbs. They range in size from 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 1 inch in length.
Specs & Features of Living Room Grand – Model O [Model L]
Professional Grand Piano
Length: 6′ (183cm)
Weight: 700 lbs (318kg)
Professional grand pianos are bigger in size than baby grand pianos and weigh about 700lbs.
Parlor / Recital Grand Piano
Length: 6’3″-6’9″ (190cm-206cm )
Weight: 750 lbs (318kg)
These ranges in size from 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 1 inch. The parlor grand piano is also known as the recital grand piano and they weigh about 750 pounds.
Specs & Features of Parlor Grand – Model A
Drawing Room Grand Piano
Length: 6′ 3″ – 6′ 10-1/2″ (193 cm – 211 cm)
Weight: 750 lbs (340kg)
A piano designed for spacious homes smaller recital halls auditoriums and broadcasting recording or professional studios.
Specs & Features of Music Room Grand – Model B
Semi Concert or Ballroom Grand Piano
Length: 7’-8’6 (259cm)
Weight: 900 lbs (408kg)
Semi-concert grand pianos are perfect for medium to large venues. They are utilized by recording studios because they are balanced in power and deliver a fantastic depth of tone without the massive displacement of a full concert grand piano.
Concert Grand Piano
Length: 8′ 11-3/4″ and higher (274 cm)
Weight: 900-1200 lbs (408kg-544kg)
The Concert Grand is the ultimate and finest of any piano manufacturer’s products. They are meant to be used at concerts and large venues.
Specs & Features of Concert Grand – Model D
How Much Does An Electric Piano Weigh?
Electric Pianos or Keyboards weight anywhere from 20-50 lbs. Digital pianos, however, weigh much more. Digital pianos look similar to spinet vertical pianos and weigh anywhere from 100-300lbs.
Should I Attempt To Move A Piano Myself?
Pianos are some of the most difficult items to move into your home. It is not recommended to move a piano yourself. To move a piano, you need special moving equipment that all professional piano movers have.
When hiring movers to move your home, make sure that the movers you choose are specifically trained in moving pianos. Moving a piano isn’t about just wrapping it up and placing it on a dolly.
But, if you are so inclined to move a piano yourself, I would advise searching the internet for some tips or asking a professional company for advice.
References: Piano Weights & Measures: BlueBookOfPianos.com
Image Sources: Vertical Piano’s – AlamoMusic.com, Grand Piano’s – SteinwayNaples.com
Interesting Piano Facts
The Largest Piano In The World – The record for the largest piano ever made is held by Adrian Mann, a piano tuner from New Zealand. It took him 4 years to build the piano and this grandiose instrument weighs 1.4 tonnes and is 5.7 meters long – a tremendous achievement for a guy who was just 25 years old when he finished working on his piano. You can find out more about his story below:
About The Strings – Pianos usually have around 220-230 strings that are made from steel and strung extremely tight in order to produce a sound when being struck by the hammers. Each string usually holds around 168 pounds of tension, making the total tension of most standard pianos around 18-20 tons. However, some of the largest grand pianos hold up to whopping 30 tons of tension! This is truly incredible and exactly what makes piano tuning such a specialist, intricate job that can only be done by a professional.
The Most Expensive Piano – Designed by Canadian manufacturer Heintzman Pianos the most expensive piano is called the Crystal Piano. It is a beautiful instrument played for the first time in front of an audience at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games by a Chinese pianist Lang Lang. The piano features a gorgeous transparent design. It was later sold at an auction for $3.22 million, making it the most expensive piano in the world.
Interesting Piano Facts From: Normans.co.uk
