How do I find my piano's serial number?

The serial number is usually found on the cast iron plate (harp) inside the piano. For upright pianos, open the top lid and look for a number stamped on the gold or bronze-colored plate, typically in the upper right corner or center. For grand pianos, the number is often visible at the front of the plate near the tuning pins, or on the soundboard. The serial number is usually 4 to 7 digits.

Where is the serial number on a Steinway piano?

On Steinway pianos, the serial number is stamped on the cast iron plate inside the piano. For Steinway grand pianos, look at the front of the plate near the music desk. For Steinway upright pianos, open the top lid and look at the plate. Steinway serial numbers can also be found stamped on the soundboard. The Steinway serial number database starts from 1853.

How accurate is piano serial number dating?

Piano serial number dating is generally accurate within 1-2 years for major brands like Steinway, Yamaha, and Kawai who maintained detailed production records. For older pianos (pre-1900) or lesser-known brands, dating may be less precise. Our database covers over 50 brands and is regularly updated with verified manufacturer data.

What piano brands are in your database?

Our serial number database includes over 50 piano brands including: Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Kawai, Bechstein, Bösendorfer, Blüthner, Grotrian-Steinweg, Schimmel, Petrof, Fazioli, Boston, Essex, Baldwin, Chickering, Knabe, Mason & Hamlin, and many more European, American, and Asian manufacturers.

Why is knowing my piano's age important?

Knowing your piano's age helps determine its value for insurance or sale, understand its historical significance, plan appropriate restoration or maintenance, verify authenticity when purchasing, and identify the correct replacement parts. Vintage pianos from certain eras may be particularly valuable or have unique tonal characteristics.

Can I find the age of an Asian piano?

Yes, our database includes serial number data for major Asian piano manufacturers including Yamaha (Japan), Kawai (Japan), Young Chang (Korea), Samick (Korea), Pearl River (China), and others. Japanese pianos from Yamaha and Kawai have particularly well-documented serial number records dating back to the 1900s.

How Old Is My Piano?

Discover the year of manufacture of your instrument

Look Up Your Piano's Age

Enter the serial number and discover when your piano or grand piano was made

How Does It Work?

Find the serial number

The number is usually located on the cast iron plate inside the piano.

Select the brand

Choose your piano's brand from the list.

Enter the number

Type the serial number and click "Look Up".

Find Your Piano

Where to Look?

Inside (at the top): Open the top lid of the piano. Look at the metal plate (usually gold or bronze colored). The number is often stamped in the upper right or center of the plate.
Between the strings: Sometimes the number is on the wooden back panel (soundboard), visible between the strings.
On the upper edge: Check the wooden rim of the case once the lid is open. Sometimes the number is stamped into the wood.
Near the keys: Remove the wooden strip above the keys (the fallboard); on some brands the number is on the side of the first or last key.
On the back: On less expensive or older pianos, the number may be on a sticker or stamp on the back of the piano.

Disclaimer

Year estimates are based on available serial number databases and may vary. For exact dating we recommend contacting the manufacturer or a certified piano expert.

Our database is expanded daily with new brands and serial numbers to provide you with the most accurate information.