If you’ve ever sat down at a piano and wondered how many keys there are, you’re not alone! It’s one of the most common questions new students ask during their first lesson.
The short answer:
A standard piano has 88 keys — 52 white keys and 36 black keys.
But there’s more to the story than just the number.
A Brief History of Piano Keys
When pianos were first developed in the early 1700s, they didn’t have 88 keys.
-
Early pianos had around 60 keys, covering about five octaves.
-
As composers began writing music with a wider range (especially Beethoven and Chopin), piano makers expanded the keyboard to meet the demand.
-
By the late 1800s, piano manufacturers like Steinway standardized the 88-key layout, which remains the standard today.
The Layout of the Keyboard
A full piano includes:
-
52 white keys (natural notes: A–G)
-
36 black keys (sharps and flats)
This range spans seven octaves plus a minor third, from the lowest A to the highest C.
Each octave repeats the same pattern of seven white and five black keys — that familiar sequence makes it easy to navigate any piano, large or small.
Are There Pianos With More (or Fewer) Keys?
Yes! While most pianos have 88 keys, there are exceptions:
-
Smaller keyboards and digital pianos may have 61 or 76 keys—great for beginners or travel.
-
Some extended-range grand pianos (like Bösendorfer’s Imperial model) go up to 97 keys, adding extra bass notes!
For most players, though, 88 keys are more than enough to cover any piece of music.
Chagrin Valley Music Tip
When starting piano lessons, don’t worry if your keyboard doesn’t have all 88 keys. Most beginning pieces only use about three to four octaves. As your skills grow, you’ll naturally use more of the keyboard.
At Chagrin Valley Music, we can help you:
-
Choose the right piano or keyboard for your space and skill level
-
Learn proper technique through Piano Lessons