How to Bend Conduit (Offsets, Saddles & Stubs)
Bending conduit cleanly comes down to a few numbers: the multiplier for your bend angle, the shrink, and the take-up for 90° stubs. Here are the formulas electricians use.
Offset multipliers
Distance between the two bends = offset height × the multiplier for the angle:
| Angle | Multiplier | Shrink / inch |
|---|---|---|
| 10° | 6.0 | 1/16" |
| 22.5° | 2.6 | 3/16" |
| 30° | 2.0 | 1/4" |
| 45° | 1.4 | 3/8" |
| 60° | 1.2 | 1/2" |
These are the common field multipliers; Codewire's calculator uses the exact trig values, so its numbers may differ by a hair.
Offsets
To clear an obstacle, multiply the offset height by the multiplier to get the distance between your two bend marks. A lower angle gives a longer, gentler offset with less shrink; a higher angle is tighter but shrinks more.
Saddles
A three-point saddle crosses an obstruction with a center bend (commonly 45°) and two outer bends (22.5°). A four-point saddle is two offsets back-to-back for a wider obstacle.
90° stub-up
Mark = desired stub height − the take-up for the conduit size (about 5" for 1/2", 6" for 3/4", 8" for 1").
Open the free Conduit Bending Calculator →
Frequently asked questions
What is the multiplier for a 30 degree offset?
2.0 — the distance between bends is twice the offset height (1 ÷ sin 30° = 2.0).
How do you calculate conduit shrink?
Shrink is roughly the offset height times the per-inch shrink for the angle — about 1/4" per inch of rise at 30°.
All Codewire calculators · Verify against the NEC edition adopted by your AHJ.