Published 16 October 2026, updated 23 October 2026 · 2 minute read · Written for buyers, not for any one instrument
Finding the serial number
Upright pianos
Open the top lid of the piano. The serial number is stamped on the cast iron plate, usually near the centre or towards the top. On some models, you may need to lift the music desk out of the way to see it clearly.
Grand pianos
Open the lid and look at the iron plate near the tuning pins, usually towards the front of the piano. The serial number is stamped into the plate.
In both cases, photograph the number rather than copying it by hand, to avoid transcription errors.
Reading the serial number
Yamaha: Yamaha publishes serial-number tables for instruments made for the US market. The factory and instrument type must match the reference. Keep any letter prefix and use the matching factory or production range in the maker's table. The serial number can indicate an approximate year; record the separately marked model name too. If the chart does not cover the instrument, ask the maker or a qualified technician rather than assuming a date.
Kawai: Kawai serial-number location guidance explains where to look on different instrument types. Kawai’s official lookup asks for the full serial number, including any letter prefix. Kawai notes that numbers for different models are not always sequential, so dates from its records are approximate.
Other brands: European and smaller manufacturers vary. Some publish online charts; others require a dealer or technician enquiry. Photograph the plate, any paper labels and any stamps on the soundboard.
What the serial number tells you
- Approximate age: an estimated year of manufacture, using the maker's own chart. Accuracy varies by brand and range.
- Origin: serial number ranges can indicate the factory for brands that manufacture in multiple locations.
The serial number does not identify the model. The model name is stamped separately on the plate. You need both the serial number and the model label to identify the instrument.
What it does not tell you
- How the piano has been maintained, played or stored.
- Whether it has been rebuilt, refinished or had major repairs.
- The current mechanical or tonal condition.
- Its current market value (which depends on condition, location and included services).
The serial number is a starting point. For an informed purchase decision, it should be combined with a physical inspection and, where available, a service history. The sale page shows what serial numbers and factory date labels look like on instruments photographed in the viewing gallery.
Find the official reference.
Select the maker and instrument type. The helper points to maker guidance and creates a private note to keep with your photographs. Check any age separately against the maker’s records; condition needs a separate assessment. No figures are sent or saved.
Serial numbers, answered.
Where is the serial number on a Yamaha piano?
On Yamaha uprights, the serial number is stamped on the iron plate, visible when you open the top lid. On grands, it is on the plate near the tuning pins. Yamaha publishes factory-specific serial-number age tables on its US support site. Match the instrument and factory to the reference; the serial number does not establish condition.
Where is the serial number on a Kawai piano?
Kawai explains serial-number locations by instrument type and provides an official lookup that keeps letter prefixes. If the reference does not cover the instrument, ask the maker for help rather than assigning a date.
Does the serial number tell me the condition?
No. The serial number helps estimate the approximate age, but it says nothing about how the piano has been maintained, played or stored. The model name is stamped separately on the plate. A newer serial number does not guarantee better condition than an older one that has been well cared for.
What if my piano is not Yamaha or Kawai?
Most piano manufacturers stamp a serial number on the iron plate. Some publish age charts on their websites; others can be checked through dealer or technician records. If you cannot find the number or identify the brand, photograph the plate and any labels inside the case.
Where the rest is set out on this site: Age and serial numbers on the sale page → Used piano viewing checklist → Models and sizes → Selling a used piano → All guides →
Need help reading a serial number?
Send us the brand, model name and serial number. We can point you to the right maker lookup tool and discuss what to check next if you are considering a purchase.