A counterweight for a hydraulic shovel, which is applicable to a compact to large-sized hydraulic shovels, and is capable of realizing favorable engine maintainability and assurance of sufficient mass, is provided. For this purpose, supporting column portions (12b, 12c) are vertically provided at left and right of a counterweight (12). The left and right supporting column portions are constituted as an increase amount of mass of the counterweight. At least one of a floor frame (30), a canopy (40), outer casings (14, 16) and engine partition walls (33a, 33b) is supported at the left and right supporting column portions. Further, an engine (13) is placed at a position fronting to between the left and right supporting column portions.