How long does a piano last?
Typical lifespan
30–100 yr
A keyboard instrument whose hammers strike strings under a cast-iron frame carrying about 20 tonnes of total string tension.
Before the soundboard and action need major rebuilding; well-kept instruments last far longer.
How that compares
Piano against things of a similar time.
Piano 30–100 yr
Orca 30–90 yr
American alligator 35–70 yr
Humpback whale 45–100 yr
Nile crocodile 45–80 yr
Beluga whale 35–70 yr
Narwhal 30–90 yr
American lobster 30–100 yr
What that means over time
| Period | How many you would buy |
|---|---|
| Per year | 0.02 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 1 of them |
Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.
More about a piano
- How much does a piano weigh? 130–550 kg
- How much does a piano cost? 3,000–200,000 $
Common questions
- How long does a piano last?
- A piano lasts 30–100 yr. Before the soundboard and action need major rebuilding; well-kept instruments last far longer.
Related pages
- How much does a piano weigh? 130–550 kg
- How much does a piano cost? 3,000–200,000 $
Sources
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place