How Much Does a Piano Weigh?

I recently moved my Yamaha U-1 studio piano from its spot in my office to another room. Since it was on casters, I figured it shouldn’t be too difficult. Well, I was wrong. 

Upright pianos are incredibly heavy, and even with quality casters, they can be challenging to move. It took three of us to move that piano from one room to another due to its size, shape, and of course, its weight. 

If you’re looking to move a piano, or you are looking to purchase a piano, you might be wondering if you can move it by yourself. You might also wonder if a piano is too heavy to have in your home. 

While the easiest thing to do is to hire a professional piano mover, you might be able to move it yourself if you know how. But you’ll also need to know its dimensions, and of course, you need to know: how much does a piano weigh? 

In this article, we’ll talk about how much an upright piano weighs. But first, let’s talk about why pianos are so heavy.

Also Read:

• Learning Piano As An Adult
• Are Digital Pianos Good To Learn On?

Why are Pianos So Heavy?

Acoustic pianos are large, heavy instruments, but they come in all different shapes and sizes. However, they’re all constructed of heavy materials. The heaviest part is the piano plate, sometimes called the harp. This is generally made of cast iron because it needs to be able to withstand the pressure of the piano strings. The larger the piano, the longer the strings. So it needs a larger harp to handle the pressure of the strings. And, of course, the bigger the harp, the heavier it will be. 

As we mentioned before, one of the heaviest parts of the piano is its harp. The next heaviest part is the cabinet, which is typically constructed of thick, sturdy wood so that it can withstand the weight of the strings and the harp. There are lots of moving parts inside the piano, made of wood or metal, which also add to its weight. 

Digital pianos, on the other hand, do not have a cast-iron harp because they don’t have strings. Instead, the sound is made electronically. The piano does not require strings, so it doesn’t need anything strong enough to withstand the pressure from the strings. They may have a wooden frame, but they may also be made of primarily lightweight plastic. 

There is a large difference between how much a digital piano weighs and how much an upright piano or grand piano weighs. 

How Much a Piano Weighs 

On average, an upright piano could weigh anywhere from 200 to 1000 pounds. In contrast, a baby grand weighs around 500 to 600 pounds, and a concert grand can weigh up to 1200 pounds! 

You can see in the chart below just how much different types of pianos weigh. These are just examples of the different types of pianos and how they weigh. For specifics, you’ll want to consult your owner’s manual or contact the piano manufacturer to find out about your specific piano. 

If you are looking for a piano for your home, you’ll want to consider the size and weight. 

A digital piano is pretty lightweight compared to any acoustic piano. So if you need something that is very lightweight, you may need to consider a digital piano rather than an acoustic. 

Spinets: The Smallest, Lightest Piano

Spinet pianos are the next lightest type of piano. They are relatively small and have shorter strings and smaller harps. A spinet piano has slightly different mechanics inside, as well. If you need a lightweight piano, though, you might have a hard time finding a spinet since they are no longer being manufactured.

Console Pianos: The Most Popular Size

The next size upright piano is a console piano. These are typically 40 to 43 inches tall and weigh 300 to 400 pounds. Console pianos are extremely popular for home use because they don’t take up too much room, and they are a reasonable weight to manage. 

Studio Pianos

Studio pianos are more popular with professional musicians for their rich sound. But this makes them larger and heavier, weighing in at 400 to 500 pounds and 44 to 48 inches tall. 

Large Upright Pianos

Larger uprights are typically older pianos, and you’ll often find them for free or very little money on Craigslist. However, they are very large and heavy and can weigh up to 1000 pounds, making them very difficult to move. They may be too heavy for your home’s flooring, as well. 

Grand Pianos 

Grand pianos are also very heavy, and it’s almost always best to hire a professional when moving a grand piano of any kind due to their construction. Grand pianos can range in weight from 500 pounds for a small baby grand to up to 1200 pounds for a concert grand. 

Before purchasing a new or used piano, it’s always a good idea to talk to a music store, piano technician, or professional piano mover about how to move the piano and if it is safe to have in your home.

Concluding Thoughts on How Heavy Are Pianos 

Acoustic pianos are beautiful musical instruments, but they are also large and heavy pieces of furniture. And while they can range in weight from 300 to 1200 pounds, the most popular size is towards the smaller end. 

Chances are, if you are looking at an acoustic upright piano for your home, it will be a console piano, which weighs about 300 to 400 pounds. These pianos are generally not too heavy for the flooring of your home and they are able to fit through most doorways and hallways. For specific details on your acoustic piano, consult your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website. They’ll be able to tell you the size and weight of your piano.