How to Move a Piano

Moving a piano is no easy feat. These large, valuable instruments can weigh over 1,000 pounds, making them especially difficult to transport. And, if not done properly, moving a piano can result in injuries and damage to your instrument or your home. 

Whichever type of piano you have, we strongly recommend that you leave moving it to the pros. Professional piano movers can be found through Moving Help, which connects you with trustworthy local moving services. If you're determined to do it yourself, we’ll walk you through the steps to safely move a piano below.

Moving Tips for Each Type of Piano

• Grand Pianos and Baby Grand Pianos: As the largest, heaviest pianos out there, grand and baby grand pianos require extra care and planning to move. Ensure you have enough people to help with the move–at least 5 people for a baby grand and 6 people for a grand piano. You’ll want to remove the legs of the piano, since the legs on grand pianos are prone to breakage. 

• Upright Pianos: Upright pianos are more compact than grand pianos, but they can still be challenging to move. You can remove the legs, but it’s not necessary for an upright piano. If you leave the legs on, remember not  to lift the piano by its legs. 

• Keyboards and Electric Pianos: Although keyboards and electric pianos are much lighter and smaller than acoustic pianos, these instruments still require planning to move effectively. You’ll want 2-3 people to help move your keyboard or electric piano, depending on its weight. You won’t need to disassemble your instrument, but follow our other instructions on moving a piano. 

• Vintage Pianos: Vintage pianos require extra care to move, since they’re highly valuable and more fragile than newer pianos. Take all possible precautions, like removing the legs, when moving these.

Preparing to Move Your Piano

Pianos aren't just an instrument, they're a major financial investment, so it's vital to treat them with the upmost care during your move. This means gathering the right supplies, a trustworthy moving team, and preparing adequately. Here's a breakdown of what to expect for a sucessful piano move:

1. Get the Right Supplies

To properly move a piano you’ll need:

• A tape measurer. 
• The correct screwdrivers to disassemble parts of the piano. 
• Furniture pads for cushioning.
• Stretch wrap and tape to secure the moving pads.
• Ratchet tie-down straps to secure the piano.
• A piano skid or piano dolly which provides a flat surface to safely transport your piano to your moving truck. Using a flat surface will protect the piano’s strings and body from breaking. 

You can order supplies online or pick them up at a U-Haul center near you. 

2. Assemble a Moving Team

Once you know your moving date, start gathering friends and family who can assist with your piano move. Due to the size and weight of these instruments, it’s best to have at least 4 people (including yourself) on hand to move a piano.

3. Prep Your Piano

• Secure the Lid: If your lid has a lock, make sure it’s locked. If not, secure the lid with furniture pads and tape. 
• Detach the Pedals: Take the pedals off with your screwdriver.
• Remove the Legs (Optional): Start by laying down moving pads where you can place the piano on its side in the next step. Then detach the leg left of the keyboard, allowing your team to tip the piano on its side. Once on its side, remove the piano’s remaining legs. 
• Wrap the Piano: Cover the instrument with furniture pads and firmly secure the cushioning with stretch wrap.

4. Plan Your Route 

After wrapping the piano, measure it front to back and top to bottom. Then measure any doorways and hallways and find a path the piano will fit through. Before moving the piano, pull out and secure the truck ramp and open the truck door. 

5. Move the Piano

Once your piano is properly covered and you’ve identified your route, you’re ready to start moving. Here's how we recommend pulling off the move:

• Lift the instrument and place it upright onto the piano skid or piano dolly.
• Secure the piano to the skid/dolly using ratchet straps.
• Wheel the piano out of your home and onto your truck ramp.
• Once on the truck, lift the body of the piano off of the skid/dolly.
• Gently set the piano upright against one of the truck’s walls, towards the front of the truck.
• Place extra padding between the piano and the wall for added protection.
• Secure the body by attaching ratchet straps to the slats on the walls of the truck.
• Cover detached piano pieces in moving pads and stretch wrap, and place them in the truck.