Conduit Bending Calculator
A conduit bender turns straight stick into finished runs — offsets that dodge beams, stub-ups that land flush on boxes. The math is two numbers: the multiplier (how far apart your bend marks go) and the take-up (how much conduit the bend itself eats). Calculate an offset bend by entering your angle and offset distance, or a 90-degree stub-up by picking conduit size and type plus your finished height. Traveling for work? Try the per diem calculator →
Updated: 2026-10-19 · ElectricianDB Editorial
Offset bend
- Distance between bends
- 12"
- Shrinkage
- 1.5"
- Multiplier used
- 2
90° stub-up
- Take-up (deduct)
- 6"
- Mark from conduit end
- 12"
- Conduit length needed
- 18"
How to calculate offset bends
Measure the offset distance (how far the run must shift), pick your bend angle, and multiply: a 6-inch offset at 30° needs marks 12 inches apart (6 × 2.0). Then subtract shrinkage — 6 inches × 1/4 inch per inch = 1-1/2 inches lost — or the far end lands short. Mark the first bend, bend to the angle on the bender's degree scale, flip the conduit, line up the second mark, and bend back to level.
Multiplier and shrink reference chart
The standard chart electricians memorize. Shrink is per inch of offset — multiply by your offset distance for total shrinkage.
| Bend angle | Multiplier | Shrink per inch |
|---|---|---|
| 10° | 6.0 | 1/16″ per inch |
| 22.5° | 2.6 | 3/16″ per inch |
| 30° | 2.0 | 1/4″ per inch |
| 45° | 1.4 | 3/8″ per inch |
| 60° | 1.2 | 1/2″ per inch |
Stub-up take-ups used above: EMT 1/2″ = 5″, 3/4″ = 6″, 1″ = 8″, 1-1/4″ = 11″; rigid 1/2″ = 6″, 3/4″ = 8″, 1″ = 11″. Sizes and types without a published hand-bender value vary by shoe — check the marking on your bender and verify with a test bend on scrap.
Conduit bending questions
What is a conduit bending multiplier?
The multiplier (the cosecant of the bend angle) tells you how far apart to mark your two offset bends: distance between marks = offset distance × multiplier. A 30° bend has a multiplier of 2.0, so a 6-inch offset needs marks 12 inches apart. The chart values (6.0, 2.6, 2.0, 1.4, 1.2) are worth memorizing — they come up on every job and every journeyman exam.
What is the difference between an offset and a saddle?
An offset shifts the conduit run sideways by a fixed distance using two equal bends (e.g. to clear a beam). A saddle jumps over an obstacle and comes back, using three bends (typically 45°-90°-45° or 22.5°-45°-22.5°). Offsets use the multiplier method; saddles add a center-mark calculation.
What is shrinkage in conduit bending?
When you bend an offset, the run gets shorter than the straight-line distance — that lost length is shrinkage. It equals the offset distance times the shrink-per-inch constant for your angle (1/4 inch per inch at 30°). Forget it and your stub lands short of the box.
Do EMT and rigid conduit use the same take-up?
No. Take-up (deduct) depends on conduit size, wall thickness, and the bender shoe radius, so rigid take-ups run larger than EMT of the same trade size — roughly one trade size over (3/4-inch EMT and 1/2-inch rigid both deduct 6 inches). Always check the numbers stamped on your bender shoe; this calculator uses the commonly published hand-bender values.
Why do the take-up numbers differ from my bender?
The shoe marking wins — always. Published take-ups are nominal values for standard hand benders, but shoe geometry varies by manufacturer. When in doubt, make a test bend on scrap and measure.
Can I bend 1-1/2 inch or 2 inch conduit by hand?
Not with a standard hand bender — they top out at 1-1/4 inch EMT (1 inch rigid). Larger conduit needs a hydraulic or electric bender with the right shoe, and take-ups come from that machine's own chart.
What angle should I use for an offset bend?
30° is the default for most work (multiplier 2.0, easy math). Use 45° in tight spaces, 22.5° when you want minimal shrinkage on long runs, and 10° for shallow kicks. Steeper angles shrink more and pull harder.