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90° stub-up calculator

Enter the stub height you want and the EMT size. You get the take-up for that bender and where to put your mark.

Trade math for EMT benders · Free, no sign-up · Updated October 2026

Distance from the conduit end to the back of the 90° bend.

IMC and RMC have different take-up values. This tool covers EMT.

The result updates as you type.

Result

Mark at 7.00 in. from end · take-up 5.00 in.

How it was calculated

  1. take-up for 1/2 EMT = 5 in. (standard shoe deduct)
  2. first bend mark = back-to-back − take-up = 12 − 5 = 7 in.
  3. Place the conduit in the bender with the arrow at the 7 in. mark, then pull a 90°.

Assumptions

  • EMT (electrical metallic tubing) — IMC/RMC have different take-up values.
  • Take-up is the standard hand-bender shoe deduct for 1/2 EMT (5 in.).
  • Mark is measured from the end of the conduit.

Basis

Trade math

This is trade math, not an NEC rule. Check the marks on your own bender before you bend.

Take-up for EMT hand benders

Take-up is the amount you subtract from the stub height to find the mark. It depends on the bender shoe. Typical values for EMT:

  • 1/2 in.: 5 in.
  • 3/4 in.: 6 in.
  • 1 in.: 8 in.
  • 1-1/4 in.: 11 in.
  • 1-1/2 in.: 14 in.
  • 2 in.: 16 in.

Many benders have the take-up stamped on the shoe. If yours is different, use your bender's number.

How to bend it

  • Measure the stub height from the end of the conduit to the back of the finished 90°.
  • Subtract the take-up and mark the conduit at that distance from the end.
  • Line the bender's arrow up with the mark, with the stub end pointing toward you, and bend to 90°.
  • Check the stub with a level and a tape from the floor to the back of the bend.

Back-to-back bends

For a back-to-back 90, measure from the back of the first 90 to the far side of the second. Mark at that distance, line the star point or back-to-back mark on the bender up with it, and bend facing the other way. Benders mark this point differently, so check yours.

Need every multiplier and take-up in one place? Open the conduit bending cheat sheet.

Worked example

A 12 in. stub-up in 1/2 in. EMT:

  • Back-to-back (in.): 12
  • EMT trade size: 1/2"

Result

Mark at 7.00 in. from end · take-up 5.00 in.

How it was calculated

  1. take-up for 1/2 EMT = 5 in. (standard shoe deduct)
  2. first bend mark = back-to-back − take-up = 12 − 5 = 7 in.
  3. Place the conduit in the bender with the arrow at the 7 in. mark, then pull a 90°.

Assumptions

  • EMT (electrical metallic tubing) — IMC/RMC have different take-up values.
  • Take-up is the standard hand-bender shoe deduct for 1/2 EMT (5 in.).
  • Mark is measured from the end of the conduit.

Basis

Trade math

This is trade math, not an NEC rule. Check the marks on your own bender before you bend.

Questions electricians ask

What is the take-up for 1/2 in. EMT?

5 inches on most hand benders. Subtract it from the stub height to find the mark.

What is the take-up for 3/4 in. EMT?

6 inches on most hand benders.

Does this work for rigid or IMC?

Not directly. Rigid and IMC benders have different take-up values. Use the number on your bender's shoe or in its instructions.

Practice it hands-on

Mark, bend, and strap 1/2 in. EMT with a hand bender, and keep every run at 360 degrees or less between pull points.

Try Conduit Bending

Teach it in one class

Free slides, quiz, and instructor note: Conduit bending (NEC 2026 Articles 344, 352, and 358).

Get the lesson

How this calculator was built

The bending math is standard trigonometry, and it runs the same code as the Ask Shorty iPhone app. Automated tests check every calculator against hand-worked answers. Bender marks and take-up vary by manufacturer, so check yours.

How we test the calculators. See something wrong? Tell us and we will check it against the code.

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