Home › How Much Is My Piano Worth?
How Much Is My Piano Worth? Value Guide by Brand & Type (2026)
Last updated: March 2026 · 8 min read
In This Guide
The piano market is unlike almost any other used goods market. A 100-year-old Steinway concert grand can be worth more than a brand-new entry-level upright. A piano from a premium brand in poor condition can be worth less than a well-maintained mid-range instrument half its age. Brand, condition, type, and age all interact in ways that make a simple price lookup table impossible — which is why a calculator-based approach gives the most accurate answer.
Find Out What Your Piano Is Worth
Our free valuation calculator estimates your piano's current market value based on brand, age, condition, and type.
Value by Piano Type
Piano type is one of the strongest predictors of value. Grand pianos command significantly higher prices than uprights of equivalent age and brand — because of their superior action mechanics, sound quality, and desirability.
| Piano Type | Typical Resale Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spinet (under 40") | $200–$1,500 | Lowest resale; limited by action design |
| Console (40–44") | $500–$3,000 | Common household piano |
| Studio upright (44–48") | $1,000–$5,000 | Preferred for teaching studios |
| Full upright (48"+ / professional) | $2,000–$12,000 | Wide range; brand-dependent |
| Baby grand (4'6" – 5') | $3,000–$20,000 | Entry-level grand; popular in homes |
| Mid-size grand (5'1" – 6'4") | $5,000–$50,000 | Strong market; brand matters significantly |
| Concert grand (7' and above) | $15,000–$150,000+ | Premium segment; Steinway D commands top prices |
| Player piano / Disklavier | $2,000–$15,000 | Depends on technology generation and brand |
Value by Brand Tier
Brand is the second most important factor after condition. The piano market has clear tiers based on manufacturing quality, reputation, and demand — and instruments from premium brands retain their value far better than mass-market alternatives.
| Tier | Brands | Value Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Concert / Prestige | Steinway & Sons, Bösendorfer, Fazioli, Bechstein (top models) | Excellent — often appreciates or holds value over decades |
| Professional | Yamaha (C/CF series), Kawai (EX/GX), Mason & Hamlin, Grotrian | Strong — depreciates slowly; high resale demand |
| Mid-market | Yamaha (U/G series), Kawai (K/GE series), Kawai, Estonia, Schimmel | Moderate — depreciates at a predictable rate |
| Entry / Consumer | Samick, Young Chang, Petrof (student models), Kohler & Campbell | Lower retention — high depreciation in first 10 years |
| Vintage American (pre-1940) | Chickering, Knabe, Kimball, old Steinway, Mason & Hamlin | Varies widely — highly condition-dependent; collector interest |
| Stencil / unknown brand | Pianos sold under department store or private labels | Poor — little resale value; often given away |
Detailed brand-specific value guides for Steinway, Yamaha, and Kawai are coming soon.
Key Factors That Affect Piano Value
Five factors drive virtually all piano valuations:
Brand and model — The single strongest predictor. A Steinway Model B is worth more than any other 7-foot grand regardless of age, because demand consistently exceeds supply.
Condition — The most variable factor. A premium brand in poor condition can be worth less than a mid-market brand in excellent condition. Condition includes tuning stability, action regulation, hammer condition, soundboard integrity, and cosmetics.
Age and decade of manufacture — Different for every brand. For Steinway, pre-war instruments from the 1920s–1940s are highly prized. For most Japanese brands (Yamaha, Kawai), instruments from the 1980s–2000s are the sweet spot for quality and value.
Piano type and size — Grand pianos command a premium over uprights of the same brand and era. Within grand pianos, size matters — a 9-foot concert grand is worth far more than a 5-foot baby grand from the same manufacturer.
Local market demand — Piano values are local. A piano worth $8,000 in New York City might sell for $5,000 in a smaller market simply because fewer buyers are competing for it. Moving costs also affect the effective value significantly.
How Age Affects Piano Value
Age affects pianos differently depending on brand and maintenance history. The general pattern for most pianos:
| Piano Age | Value Trajectory (mid-market brands) |
|---|---|
| 0–5 years | Steepest depreciation — 30–40% of new price lost in first few years, similar to a new car |
| 5–20 years | Moderate depreciation — settles to 40–60% of new price if well-maintained |
| 20–50 years | Stable — value plateaus; condition becomes the dominant variable |
| 50–80 years | Depends on brand and rebuilding history; many need significant work |
| 80+ years | Collector territory for premium brands; uncertain for others |
To find out when your piano was manufactured, the Piano Age Calculator looks up serial numbers across hundreds of brands to give you the year and country of manufacture.
Condition: The Biggest Variable
No other factor swings piano value more than condition. Two identical models from the same year can differ by 50–70% in value based purely on how they've been maintained.
| Condition | Description | Value vs. Excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | Recently tuned; regulated action; original finish in good shape; no major repairs needed | Full value |
| Good | Tuned within 2 years; minor regulation needed; cosmetically sound | 75–90% of excellent |
| Fair | Needs tuning + pitch raise; moderate regulation; some cosmetic wear | 50–70% of excellent |
| Poor | Significant neglect; needs full regulation; possible string/hammer replacement | 25–45% of excellent |
| Restoration project | Unplayable or requiring full rebuild | 10–25% of excellent (parts value) |
Get an Instant Estimate for Your Piano
Select your piano type to use the free valuation calculator — takes about 2 minutes.
Where to Sell a Piano
The right sales channel depends on the value of the piano:
Private sale (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist) — Best for pianos under $5,000. No commission; buyer handles moving. Price it correctly using a calculator to avoid leaving money on the table.
Piano dealer consignment — Dealers typically take 20–40% commission but handle everything. Best for instruments worth $5,000+ where finding a buyer independently is harder.
Auction (Steinway, premium brands) — Specialist piano auctions (Christie's, Sotheby's, dedicated piano auction houses) are appropriate for instruments valued above $20,000.
Music schools and universities — Institutions often buy reliable uprights and studio grands for teaching. They typically pay less than private buyers but the transaction is straightforward.
PianoCalculator marketplace — List your piano directly on our platform to reach buyers and piano professionals searching for instruments.
Are Free Pianos Worth Taking?
Free pianos are offered constantly on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace — but "free" often comes with hidden costs. Before accepting any free piano, get a technician to assess it. The questions to answer:
Does the piano hold pitch, or is it so far gone that repeated pitch raises are needed?
What is the condition of the hammers, strings, and action?
Does it need regulation, voicing, or other costly service?
What will moving it cost? ($200–$600 is typical for a local move)
Is there space for it, and is the location climate-appropriate?
Rule of thumb: If the piano needs more than $1,000 in repairs plus $400 to move, you are better off buying a playable used piano in your price range than accepting a free one with significant deferred maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my piano worth?
Piano values vary enormously — from under $500 for a neglected spinet to $50,000+ for a premium Steinway grand. The main factors are brand, age, condition, piano type (upright vs grand), and current market demand. Use a valuation calculator for a data-driven estimate based on your specific instrument.
Do pianos increase in value over time?
Most pianos depreciate over time, especially mass-market uprights. However, premium brands like Steinway & Sons, Bösendorfer, and Fazioli hold their value significantly better than average. Vintage American uprights (pre-1940 Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, Knabe) can command strong prices if in original, well-maintained condition.
What makes a piano lose value?
The biggest value destroyers are: neglect and deferred maintenance, rebuilding work done poorly, extreme cosmetic damage (cracked soundboard, chipped keys), sitting untuned for many years, and repainting or refinishing in a non-original colour. A piano that needs significant work is worth substantially less than one in playing condition.
Is a free piano worth taking?
Sometimes — but free pianos often have a catch. Before accepting a free piano, have a piano technician assess it. A piano that needs a full rebuild (new strings, hammers, action regulation) can cost $2,000–$5,000 in repairs. Moving it costs $300–$600. A free piano that needs $3,000 of work is not free.
How do I find out the value of my specific piano?
The most accurate method is using a valuation calculator that accounts for brand, model, age, condition, and current market conditions. You can also have a registered piano technician provide a written appraisal — required for insurance claims or estate purposes.
Does tuning affect piano value?
Regular tuning maintains a piano's mechanical condition and demonstrates that it has been cared for. A piano that has been consistently tuned is worth more than an identical model that has been neglected. Pitch raises stress the strings slightly, so pianos that have required multiple pitch raises due to neglect may have slightly less string life remaining.
What is the best way to sell a piano?
For most pianos, local private sale (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace) yields the best return. Higher-value instruments ($5,000+) are worth listing with a piano dealer on consignment or at auction. Steinway and other premium brand pianos often sell well through dedicated piano dealer networks.