Conduit bending cheat sheet.
Offset multipliers, shrink, stub-up take-up, and saddle marks for EMT, all on one page. Each section links to a calculator that does the math for your numbers.
Trade math for EMT benders · Free, no sign-up · Updated October 2026
Offsets: multipliers and shrink
Distance between bends = offset depth × multiplier. Add the shrink to your measurement so the offset lands where you want it.
| Bend angle | Multiplier | Shrink per inch of offset |
|---|---|---|
| 10° | 5.76 | 1/16 in. |
| 15° | 3.86 | 1/8 in. |
| 20° | 2.92 | 3/16 in. |
| 22.5° | 2.61 | 3/16 in. |
| 30° | 2.00 | 1/4 in. |
| 45° | 1.41 | 3/8 in. |
| 60° | 1.15 | 1/2 in. |
30° is the everyday angle: the multiplier is 2, so a 6 in. offset needs marks 12 in. apart. The offset bend calculator uses exact trigonometry and covers other offset depths.
90° stub-up: take-up by EMT size
Mark = stub height − take-up. Typical hand-bender values are below. Hand benders stop at 1-1/4 in. EMT. Use the number stamped on your bender if it differs.
| EMT size | Take-up |
|---|---|
| 1/2 in. | 5 in. |
| 3/4 in. | 6 in. |
| 1 in. | 8 in. |
| 1-1/4 in. | 11 in. |
1-1/2 in. and 2 in. EMT go on a mechanical, hydraulic, or electric bender. Read the take-up from that bender’s shoe chart.
The 90° stub-up calculator gives you the mark for your height and size.
Saddles
- 3-point saddle: one 45° center bend and two 22.5° outer bends, 90° in all. Round obstructions like a pipe.
- Outer marks: 2.5 × the obstruction height on each side of the center mark.
- Shrink: 3/16 in. for each inch of obstruction height. Add it to the distance to the obstruction’s center.
- 4-point saddle: two offsets with a flat section between them. Wide obstructions like a duct or beam. The shrink is twice one offset’s.
Run the numbers in the 3-point saddle calculator or the 4-point saddle calculator.
The 360° limit
Add up every bend between pull points and keep the total at or under 360°, the equivalent of four quarter bends. For EMT, read 358.24(B). IMC, rigid metal, and PVC conduit have matching rules in 342.24(B), 344.24(B), and 352.24(B). A 30° offset uses 60° of the total. A 4-point saddle at 30° uses 120°. Check the sections in your own code book and confirm which edition your inspector enforces.
Questions electricians ask
What are the conduit offset multipliers?
10° is 5.76, 15° is 3.86, 20° is 2.92, 22.5° is 2.61, 30° is 2.00, 45° is 1.41, and 60° is 1.15. Multiply the offset depth by the number to get the distance between bends.
How much does a 30° offset shrink?
About 1/4 in. for every inch of offset depth. A 6 in. offset shrinks the conduit about 1-1/2 in.
What is the take-up for 1/2 in. EMT?
5 in. on most hand benders. Subtract it from the stub height to find your mark, and use the number stamped on your bender if it differs.
How far apart are the marks on a 3-point saddle?
For a 45° center bend and two 22.5° outer bends, the outer marks sit 2.5 times the obstruction height from the center mark, and the saddle shrinks 3/16 in. per inch of height.
How many degrees of bends can you have between pull points?
360° total. For EMT, that limit is in 358.24(B). The matching sections for IMC, rigid metal, and PVC conduit are 342.24(B), 344.24(B), and 352.24(B).
Practice it hands-on
Mark, bend, and strap EMT with a hand bender, and keep every run at 360° or less.
How this sheet was built
The bending math is standard trigonometry, and it matches the calculators linked above. Bender marks and take-up vary by manufacturer, so check yours. See something wrong? Tell us and we will check it.