Conduit Bending Calculator
Mark your bends right the first time. Offset spacing, shrink, and 90° stub take-up.
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Fieldwatt measures input-to-result time on every calculation — the speed claim is a number, not a slogan. Run a few conduit bending calcs above and your typical time appears right here.
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Conduit bending math turns a desired offset or stub height into measured marks on the pipe. For an offset, multiply the offset depth by the bend-angle multiplier to get the distance between the two bends. For a 90° stub-up, subtract the bender's take-up for that conduit size from the desired stub height to find the bend mark measured from the end.
The conduit bending formula
Offset: distance between bends = offset depth × multiplier. Multipliers — 10°: 6.0 · 22°: 2.6 · 30°: 2.0 · 45°: 1.4 · 60°: 1.2. Shrink (gain) per inch of offset — 30°: 1/4" · 45°: 3/8" · 60°: 1/2". 90° stub: bend mark from end = stub height − take-up.
Worked example
A 3" offset to clear an obstruction using 30° bends: distance between bends = 3 × 2.0 = 6", so mark the pipe, then 6" farther, and bend 30° at each mark in the same plane. The run shrinks about 3 × 1/4" = 3/4", so add 3/4" to your pull length. For a 90° stub-up to 10" in 1/2" EMT (take-up 5"): bend mark = 10 − 5 = 5" from the end.
Offset multipliers and shrink by bend angle
| Bend angle | Multiplier (× offset) | Shrink per inch |
|---|---|---|
| 10° | 6.0 | 1/16" |
| 22° | 2.6 | 3/16" |
| 30° | 2.0 | 1/4" |
| 45° | 1.4 | 3/8" |
| 60° | 1.2 | 1/2" |
NEC references
- NEC Chapter 9, Table 2 — minimum bending radius to the conduit centerline by trade size
- NEC 358.24 (EMT) — bends must not damage the raceway or reduce its internal diameter
- NEC 358.26 — no more than 360° total bends between pull points
How to bend a conduit offset
- Measure the offset depth needed to clear the obstruction.
- Pick a bend angle and multiply the depth by its multiplier to get the distance between bends.
- Mark the pipe at the first bend, then that distance farther for the second.
- Bend both marks to the chosen angle in the same plane, and add the shrink to your pull length.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate a conduit offset?
Multiply the offset depth by the bend-angle multiplier to get the distance between the two bends — for example, a 3-inch offset at 30° (multiplier 2.0) gives 6 inches between marks. Bend both marks to the same angle in the same plane.
What are the conduit bending multipliers?
The common offset multipliers are 6.0 at 10°, 2.6 at 22°, 2.0 at 30°, 1.4 at 45°, and 1.2 at 60°. Multiply the offset depth by the multiplier to get the distance between the two bends.
What is take-up in conduit bending?
Take-up is the distance from the back of a finished 90° bend to the end of the stub for a given bender and conduit size. Subtract it from the desired stub height to find where to place the bend mark. Common EMT take-up: 1/2" = 5", 3/4" = 6", 1" = 8".
How much does conduit shrink on an offset?
Roughly 1/4 inch per inch of offset at 30°, 3/8 inch at 45°, and 1/2 inch at 60°. Add the shrink to your overall length so the fittings still land where you intended.
Built for the field
- Live results as you type — every value recomputes instantly.
- Works fully offline once the app has loaded.
- Cites the governing NEC table for every result.
- Save calculations to a job and build a material list (Pro).
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For guidance only. Always verify against the current National Electrical Code and your local amendments. Fieldwatt does not replace an engineer of record.