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Conduit Bending Calculator: Offsets, 90s, Kicks, Saddles & Rolling Offsets

Calculate Shrink, Gain, Marks, and Bend Spacing for EMT and Rigid Conduit

Free conduit bending calculator for electricians working with EMT, rigid, and IMC conduit. Calculate bend dimensions for offsets (10°-60°), 90° bends (stub-ups), kicks (single offsets), 3-point and 4-point saddles, and rolling offsets. Includes shrink constants, gain calculations, distance between bends, and mark placement on the conduit.

Conduit bending math is straightforward but unforgiving. A 1/4-inch measurement error on your marks produces a visible misfit on the wall. This calculator does the trigonometry and gives you the exact mark positions, shrink allowance, and distance between bends for any combination of conduit size and bend angle.

Pro Tip: Always account for shrink on offsets. A 30-degree offset loses 1/4 inch of run per inch of offset height. On a 6-inch offset at 30 degrees, the conduit ends up 1.5 inches short of where it would be without the offset. Mark your first bend, then add the shrink to your second mark position. The shrink constants are: 10° = 1/16", 22.5° = 3/16", 30° = 1/4", 45° = 3/8", 60° = 1/2" per inch of offset.

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Conduit Bending Calculator
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How It Works

  1. Select Bend Type

    Choose the bend type: offset (most common), 90° stub-up, kick, 3-point saddle, 4-point saddle, or rolling offset. Each has different input requirements and calculations.

  2. Enter Conduit Size

    Select conduit trade size (1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 2"). Larger sizes affect take-up and gain values for 90° bends.

  3. Enter Offset Height or Stub Length

    For offsets: enter the height of the offset (distance between centerlines). For 90° stubs: enter the stub-up length. For saddles: enter the obstruction height.

  4. Select Bend Angle

    For offsets: choose 10°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°, or 60°. 30° is the most common for general offsets. 22.5° for shallow offsets. 45° for tight spaces.

  5. Apply Mark Positions

    The calculator shows where to place each mark on the conduit measured from the end. Transfer these marks to the conduit and align with the bender's arrow or notch. Includes shrink allowance in the overall run dimension.

Built For

  • Electricians bending EMT conduit for commercial and residential installations
  • Industrial electricians bending rigid conduit for motor and equipment connections
  • Apprentice electricians learning bending math for journeyman certification exams
  • Estimators calculating conduit quantities with shrink allowances for accurate material takeoffs
  • Electrical contractors training crews on consistent bending practices
  • Maintenance electricians adding conduit runs in existing facilities around obstacles
  • Data center installers bending conduit for structured cabling pathways

Features & Capabilities

Five Bend Types

Offset, 90° stub-up, kick, 3-point saddle, and 4-point saddle. Each with bend-specific calculations and mark placement.

Shrink Constants

Automatic shrink calculation for offsets: 10° (1/16"), 22.5° (3/16"), 30° (1/4"), 45° (3/8"), 60° (1/2") per inch of offset height.

Gain Calculation

Calculates gain for 90° bends using take-up values by conduit size. Gain = stub length minus take-up.

Distance Between Bends

Calculates the spacing between bend marks on the conduit using offset height × multiplier (cosecant of bend angle).

Rolling Offset Mode

Compound-angle bending for offsets that move both horizontally and vertically. Uses the same trigonometry as pipe rolling offsets.

PDF Export

Export bend calculations as a branded PDF for posting at the bending station or including in job documentation.

Assumptions

  • Bending multipliers based on trigonometric constants: 30° = 2.0 (csc), 22.5° = 2.6, 45° = 1.414, 60° = 1.155
  • Shrink constants: 10° = 1/16", 22.5° = 3/16", 30° = 1/4", 45° = 3/8", 60° = 1/2" per inch of offset
  • Take-up values for 90° bends follow standard hand bender specifications (1/2" EMT = 5", 3/4" = 6", 1" = 8")
  • Gain calculations assume factory-standard bender shoe radius per conduit trade size
  • Conduit material assumed to be standard wall thickness EMT, IMC, or rigid — not thin-wall specialty conduit
  • All bends assumed to be cold bends (no heat applied) using standard bending equipment

Limitations

  • Actual take-up and gain vary by bender manufacturer (Ideal, Klein, Greenlee) — always verify with your specific bender
  • Does not account for spring-back in rigid conduit which may require over-bending to achieve target angle
  • PVC conduit bending (hot bending) uses different techniques and parameters not covered by this calculator
  • Total degrees of bend per conduit run must not exceed 360° per NEC 344.26/358.26 — not tracked by this calculator
  • Does not calculate segment lengths for concentric bends (parallel conduit runs at different radii)
  • Rolling offset calculations assume both offset planes intersect at the same point — compound offsets with separation require manual adjustment

References

  • NEC (NFPA 70) Article 344.26, 358.26 — Maximum Number of Bends Between Pull Points (360°)
  • Tom Henry's Conduit Bending Guide — Industry Standard Reference for Electricians
  • Benfield Conduit Bending Manual — Comprehensive Bending Techniques and Formulas
  • NECA 1 — Standard for Good Workmanship in Electrical Construction (conduit installation quality)
  • Klein Tools Conduit Bending Technical Reference
  • Ideal Industries Conduit Bending Guide — Take-Up, Gain, and Multiplier Tables

Frequently Asked Questions

The multiplier for 30° is 2.0 (cosecant of 30°). Multiply the offset height by 2 to get the distance between bends. For example, a 6-inch offset at 30° requires marks 12 inches apart on the conduit.
Shrink is the amount of run length lost when conduit is bent into an offset. The conduit path through the offset is longer than a straight path, so the overall run between the two ends gets shorter. If you don't account for shrink, your conduit will end up short of the box or connector on the far end.
Take-up is the distance from the back of the 90 to the bend mark. It varies by conduit size: 1/2" EMT = 5", 3/4" EMT = 6", 1" EMT = 8". Subtract the take-up from your desired stub length to find where to place the conduit in the bender.
A 3-point saddle uses a center bend (typically 45°) and two equal return bends (22.5° each) on either side. Mark the center of the obstruction on the conduit, then measure out equally on each side using the obstruction width and multiplier. The center bend goes on the center mark.
Hand benders (hickeys) work for 1/2" and 3/4" rigid conduit. 1" rigid requires a mechanical or hydraulic bender. EMT up to 1-1/4" can be bent with a hand bender, but 1-1/2" and 2" EMT require a mechanical bender or Chicago bender.
Disclaimer: Bend calculations are based on standard electrician bending formulas and conduit manufacturer specifications. Actual results vary with bender brand, bender condition, and operator technique. Always make a test bend on scrap conduit to verify your bender's take-up and gain values before cutting production conduit. All conduit installations must comply with NEC Chapter 3 and local electrical codes.

Learn More

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Conduit Bending Fundamentals: The Benfield Method Explained

EMT conduit bending using the Benfield method. Offsets, saddles, stub-ups, take-up values, and why shrink matters.

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