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 successful piano move:

1. Get the Right Moving 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 moving supplies online or pick them up at a U-Haul center near you. 

2. Choose the Right Moving Truck

U-Haul has a range of moving trucks available for rent, so choosing the best option boils down to the size of your piano. Measuring the exact dimensions of your piano will help you make a more precise choice, but you can also simply make your decision based on the type of piano.

• 15-foot Moving Truck: this moving truck is ideal for moving most upright pianos and some baby grand pianos. 
• 20-foot Moving Truck: this moving truck is better suited for moving most grand pianos, including larger concert grand pianos. 

Both the 15-foot and 20-foot U-Haul moving trucks feature a ramp that makes loading your piano much easier.

3. 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.

4. 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. Don't be shy about how many furtniture pads you use either. We recommend using multiple pads to not only ensure the safety of your piano but also limit any damage to your floors, walls, or doorways while moving it.

5. Plan Your Route 

Determining the best route to move your piano through your home to your moving truck is crucial. Start by measuring the dimensions of your piano if you haven't already, then measure doorways and hallways to identify the easiest path from point A to point B. Be sure to remove any obstacles in the way as well. Lastly, before actually moving your piano, roll up the truck's cargo door and pull out the ramp to secure it in place.

6. 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.