[Bahamut]

> The real answer is because manhole covers are mass produced and manufacturing circular ones is usually easier and cheaper than the alternatives.

My understanding is the primary reason is because circular covers cannot fall into the hole itself, whereas that problem exists with other shapes like squares.

[aaaaaaaaaaab]

The parent comment already addressed this.

Shapes of constant width (e.g. £1 coin) won’t fall into the hole either. Neither would an equilateral triangle.

Oh, and by the way in my country we have square-shaped manhole covers too :O

[Zarel]

Equilateral triangles can fall in. You have three dimensions: the height of the triangle is less than the side length of the triangle, so it fits in near the sides of the hole.

The OP mentions curves of constant width:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curve_of_constant_width

Which includes circles and Reuleaux triangles, which are much more difficult to manufacture than circles. I think this can be rounded off to "circles are the only well-known shape that can't fall into a similarly-sized hole".

[aaaaaaaaaaab]

You’re right, I didn’t think through the triangle.

Still, as I’ve said, there are square-shaped manhole covers too.

http://manhole.co.il

[rzzzt]

Would a square-shaped manhole fall into a circular cover?