The pianoforte is the direct ancestor of the modern piano, and is distinguished mainly by its lighter construction and more delicate tone.

For many years, piano and pianoforte were regarded as synonyms, reflecting the gradual development of the instrument. However, with the modern instrument now always referred to as simply a piano by manufacturers, composers, teachers and players alike (except in deliberately affected speech perhaps), the word has more recently come to be used specifically for the older designs. These instruments include both those built before the abbreviation to piano became common, and reproductions of these historic instruments.

Pianoforte and fortepiano restorations and reproductions are increasingly used for recording and performance of early piano music.

See piano for the history of the pianoforte. See also fortepiano, an earlier ancestor of the piano.