Conduit installation

Conduit Bend Calculator

Calculate field marks for conduit stub-ups, offsets, and three- or four-point saddles using bender-specific references.

Conduit geometry

Bend details

in
in

Default is a common 1/2 in EMT hand-bender value. Use the take-up marked on your bender or in its manual.

Mark locations

90° stub-up mark from conduit end
5 in
Desired stub height10 in
Bender take-up5 in

Mark = desired stub height − bender take-up.

Geometry aid onlyDisplayed marks are rounded to the nearest 1/16 in. Confirm take-up, multipliers, bend radius, and mark-pointer alignment for your conduit and bender. Make a test bend and verify the finished dimensions.

About this calculator

Choose a 90° stub-up, a two-bend offset, a three-point saddle, or a four-point saddle. Enter the needed dimensions and the take-up or bender-table factors for the bender you are using.

The calculator returns layout marks. It does not account for conduit material, bend radius, springback, bender shoe geometry, or pointer alignment.

Method and assumptions

Stub-up: the mark equals the desired stub height minus the bender take-up.

Offset: mark spacing equals offset height multiplied by the selected bender multiplier. The first mark equals the obstacle distance plus the entered shrink allowance.

Three-point saddle: the center mark equals the obstruction-center distance plus shrink. Return marks are placed equally on each side using the selected spacing factor.

Four-point saddle: Mark 1 = length − Z; Mark 2 = Mark 1 + L1; Mark 3 = the selected Mark 1 or Mark 2 reference + L2 + straight-section length; and Mark 4 = Mark 3 + L1. The linked Greenlee 555DX-22 manual's written step and diagram use different Mark 3 references. Follow the same reference and table setup as the instruction you are using. The calculator does not infer Z, L1, or L2.

Field check

Confirm every input against the actual bender manual. Mark the conduit clearly, keep the bender aligned through each bend, and make a test bend when the dimensions matter. Measure the finished stub or saddle and correct for the bender’s actual take-up and springback before repeating the layout.

FAQs

Where do the take-up and shrink values come from?

The defaults follow common values in the linked Klein Tools hand-bender guide. Bender marks and table values vary by make, model, conduit size, and bend setup, so use the manual for the bender in front of you.

How do I choose the four-point saddle Mark 3 reference?

The linked Greenlee 555DX-22 manual uses Mark 1 in its written Step 5 and Mark 2 in its diagram for the L2 plus straight-section distance. Select the reference that matches the instruction you are following. The sample values are only for that model, 1/2 in. EMT, 45° bends, and a 6 in. obstruction.

Are the displayed marks exact?

No. Results are rounded to the nearest 1/16 in. Verify the bender’s mark pointer, bend direction, take-up, and finished dimensions with a test bend before making repeated bends.

Does this account for conduit size or material automatically?

No. The calculator uses geometry and bender values that you enter or select. It does not adjust bend radius or springback by conduit material, size, or bender model.

Manufacturer references

  • Klein Tools Conduit Bender Guide — stub take-up, offset multipliers and shrink, and three-point saddle layout.
  • Greenlee 555DX-22 Electric Bender instruction manual — four-point saddle directions and diagram on printed page 17, plus model-specific Z, L1, and L2 tables on page 18. The written Step 5 and diagram use different starting marks for the L2 plus straight-section dimension.
  • Use the current manual and bender markings for your exact tool and conduit setup.