Ever wondered how much a piano weighs? You aren’t the only one. Whether you’re looking to buy a piano or move one out, finding out how much it weighs is key to the whole process.
While you might think most pianos weigh the same, the truth is there are many different types of pianos that feature a wide weight range. Some pianos are definitely heavier than others, from full-size grand pianos to keyboards and upright pianos.
To help you figure out your piano’s weight, we’ve noted some factors to consider. Read on to learn about them!
How Much Does A Standard Upright Piano Weigh?
The standard upright piano is the most common type of piano that you’ll find in many places like churches, schools, and libraries. While smaller than some, an upright piano still weighs quite a bit and is impossible to move entirely on your own.
You can expect a standard upright piano to weigh anywhere from 500 to 800 pounds, with the average model weighing around 750 pounds. That’s around the same size as a full-grown adult lion!
Since upright pianos don’t take up as much room as other piano models, they’re the most popular type of piano for home use. However, because of their size, you’ll still need a full crew to move it in and out of wherever you want it, especially if it needs to move up or downstairs.
Still, not all upright pianos weigh the same. Below, we’ll quickly go through the different types of uprights and how much you can expect them to weigh.
Spinet Piano
The smallest of all upright pianos, spinet pianos, only measure 36 to 40 inches tall. A standard spinet piano without additional plating or engraving will weigh 200 to 400 pounds.
Console Piano
The next size up from a spinet, a console piano is still relatively small compared to other piano models. It stands about 40 to 43 inches high and weighs around 350 to 450 pounds.
It’s important to note that even if a piano stands a bit taller, it doesn’t mean it weighs more than a smaller model. For example, a spinet piano with high-quality parts might weigh 50 pounds more than a console piano, even though the console is bigger.
Studio Piano
Studio pianos are the standard-sized piano found in recording studios and music classrooms because of their size and sound. They’re the perfect model for smaller rooms but still project an incredible tone despite their size.
A standard studio piano might weigh anywhere between 400 to 500 pounds, standing at about 44 to 48 inches tall.
Full-Size Upright Piano
The largest upright pianos can weigh between 500 to 1,000 pounds, much larger than the smallest versions of the instrument. They’re also the tallest vertical pianos, measuring around 48 to 60 inches in most cases.
How Much Does A Grand Piano Weigh?
On the complete opposite end of the piano weight spectrum are full-size grand pianos, the mack-daddies of the piano world. These are the models you’ll see in expensive concert halls, in museums, and even in the homes of the rich and famous.
Not only do full-size grand pianos cost a lot of money, but they weigh a ton as well. The average grand piano weighs anywhere between 500 and 1,400 pounds.
However, not all grand pianos weigh the same. Below, we’ll go through some of the different types of grand pianos and how much you can expect them to weigh.
Petite Grand Piano
The smallest of grand piano sizes, pianos are considered petite grands when they measure less than five feet long. They have a relatively small weight range, with the smallest being about 400 pounds and the largest about 500.
Baby Grand Pianos
The second-smallest grand piano size, baby grands are usually about 5.5 feet long and weigh about 500 to 600 pounds in most cases.
This is the most popular type of grand piano because they weigh much less than concert grands but still retain a fantastic tonal quality at a smaller length. Plus, they’re way more affordable!
Concert Grand Pianos
These are the largest grand pianos available, measuring over 8 feet long and weighing anywhere between 900 and 1,200 pounds. You won’t typically find concert grands outside of concert halls because of their size.
How Much Do Keyboards Weigh?
If you can’t handle moving a piano that weighs hundreds or even thousands of pounds, you may want to consider a keyboard instead.
Keyboards are exceptionally lightweight alternatives to full-size vertical and grand pianos, making them fantastic for students or musicians who move around a lot.
Digital Pianos
Also known as keyboards, digital pianos are essentially electric keyboards housed in a light wooden body that mimics a full-size piano. However, they are usually much lighter than a real piano might be.
You can expect most digital pianos to weigh just over 100 pounds, making them very portable. Still, they can also go all the way up to 300 pounds, depending on the model.
Electric Keyboards
Standard keyboards are much lighter than pianos and digital pianos. You can expect most keyboards to weigh between 20 to 50 pounds, sometimes a bit more.
Their weight, size, and portability make them a popular instrument to practice with before investing in a full-size piano.
There are some keyboards, though, that weigh more. A good rule of thumb to go by is that the more expensive the keyboard, the heavier it usually is.
Why Are Pianos So Heavy?
After learning how heavy pianos really are, you might be wondering to yourself, “Why are pianos so heavy in the first place?” First, we have to quickly go over what goes on inside a piano in order to answer that question.
Pianos are made from large pieces of timber, one of the heaviest types of wood found in nature. The entire body of any piano are made from timber or similarly heavy wood, making it much heavier than other wood instruments.
However, most of any piano’s weight doesn’t come from the wood body but from the cast iron interior.
The cast iron harp, the part of the piano that holds all the strings and tiny pieces in place, is entirely cast iron, much heavier than any wood and most commercial metals.
It doesn’t end there, though. The cast iron harp is also home to thousands of metal parts. While most of these pieces don’t weigh too much on their own, they can end up being hundreds of pounds in when weighed together.
Even smaller pianos have cast iron, timber, and metal parts, meaning your spinet upright is still going to weigh hundreds of pounds, no matter how small it may be.
Conclusion
While some pianos, like spinet or studio pianos, might be a manageable weight, other pianos are anything but. Grand pianos and even baby grand pianos weigh hundreds of pounds, sometimes over a thousand.
If you’re planning to move a piano in or out of your residence or workspace, you’ll have to figure out how much it weighs. Hopefully, this guide has given you a good idea of how much your piano weighs and how many people you may need to move it safely and efficiently.
