---
title: "Fire hydrant vs manhole cover — size, weight and speed compare"
description: "Fire hydrant is 2.5× manhole cover on weight. Compared on 2 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/fire-hydrant-vs-manhole-cover/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Fire hydrant vs Manhole cover

**Fire hydrant vs manhole cover: Fire hydrant is larger on weight**

Fire hydrant is 2.5× manhole cover on weight.

A fire hydrant and a manhole cover can be compared on 2 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | Fire hydrant | Manhole cover |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 70–320 kg | 30–150 kg |
| Typical cost | 1,200–6,000 $ | 100–900 $ |

## What the numbers say

- Fire hydrant is 2.5× manhole cover on weight.
- Fire hydrant is 10× manhole cover on typical cost.

*Weight compared.*

- Fire hydrant: 70–320 kg
- Manhole cover: 30–150 kg

## Fire hydrant

A valved connection to a water main, dry-barrel in freezing climates so the standing barrel drains after use.

## Manhole cover

A cast-iron or ductile-iron lid over an access chamber, made round so it cannot fall through its own opening.

> This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

## Common questions

### Which is bigger, fire hydrant or manhole cover?

Fire hydrant is 2.5× manhole cover on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do fire hydrants and manhole covers compare on typical cost?

Fire hydrant: 1,200–6,000 $. Manhole cover: 100–900 $. Fire hydrant is 10× manhole cover on typical cost.

## Related pages

- [Fire hydrant vs utility pole](https://atoneplace.net/vs/fire-hydrant-vs-utility-pole/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)