What shape does honeycomb typically have and why?

Honeycomb is typically hexagonal due to its unique structural properties that optimize both storage capacity and material efficiency. The hexagonal shape allows bees to create a compact arrangement of cells that can hold the maximum amount of honey while using the smallest amount of wax, which is a resource bees produce at a considerable energy cost.

The angles and geometrical configuration of the hexagon enable the cells to fit together without any gaps, which means they can use space more efficiently than if they were using circular or square shapes. This maximizes the volume for storing honey and pollen while minimizing the amount of wax needed for construction. In contrast, round shapes waste space because they leave gaps when placed next to one another, while square shapes do not reach the same optimal volume-to-material ratio as hexagons. Triangular structures can provide stability, but they do not maximize storage or material efficiency to the same extent that hexagons do.