A typical full‑size manhole cover usually weighs somewhere between about 90 and 250 pounds (roughly 40–115 kg), with many common street covers landing in the 150–300 pound range depending on size and material.

Quick Scoop

  • Standard range: Most manhole covers fall around 100–300+ pounds, because they must resist traffic loads and stay put if cars or trucks drive over them.
  • Common “street” covers: For common cast‑iron covers around 24–30 inches in diameter, weights of roughly 150–300 pounds are typical in many cities.
  • Heavier duty types: Large or heavy‑duty traffic‑rated covers can reach 400–500+ pounds, especially in 30–36 inch cast‑iron designs used on busy roads.
  • Lightweight/composite covers: Newer composite or plastic‑reinforced covers can be much lighter, sometimes 20–90 pounds for similar diameters, where easier manual handling is needed.

So if someone asks “how much does a manhole cover weigh,” a practical short answer is: on the order of a couple hundred pounds , though design, diameter, and material can push it noticeably lighter or heavier.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.