Calculators

11 tools

Offset Bend

Calculate marks for a two-bend offset around an obstruction.

Live Diagram
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Results
Enter a rise value above
Field Tips
  • Use 30° bends when possible — the ×2 multiplier makes field math trivial
  • Draw a straight line along the conduit before marking — helps spot dog-legs
  • Make a test bend on scrap before committing to long sticks
  • For offsets over 8", consider 45° bends to reduce total run length
  • Always subtract shrink from your layout — the conduit won't reach if you don't

An offset uses two equal-angle bends in opposite directions. The distance between them is determined by the rise you need and the angle you choose.

Distance = Rise × Multiplier = Rise × (1 / sin θ)

At 30°: sin(30°) = 0.5, so Multiplier = 1/0.5 = 2.0. A 6" rise at 30° needs 12" between bends. That's why 30° is the electrician's favorite — the math is dead simple.

Shrink = Rise × Shrink Constant
30° constant = 1/4 per inch of rise

Stub-Up (90°)

Mark location for a 90° stub-up accounting for bender take-up.

Live Diagram
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Results
Enter stub length above
Field Tips
  • Always verify take-up with your specific bender — values vary slightly between brands
  • Measure stub from floor to TOP of conduit, not to the bend
  • Use a torpedo level on the finished stub to check for plumb
  • If stub is too short, you can sometimes re-bend; too long means starting over
  • Mark measurement from the END you're bending, not the other end

A 90° bend doesn't happen exactly at your mark — the bending arc starts before the mark. The take-up is the distance the bender "travels" past your mark to create the bend.

Mark Location = Stub Length − Take-Up

For 1/2" EMT with a 5" take-up: if you want a 12" stub, mark at 12 − 5 = 7" from the end.

3-Point Saddle

Straddle a pipe or box. Three bends: one center, two outer.

Live Diagram
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Mark Positions
Enter values above
Field Tips
  • Always bend the CENTER mark FIRST — it's the deepest bend and sets the shape
  • 45° center with 22.5° outer bends is the most common saddle configuration
  • Use a torpedo level to check that both outer bends are equal depth
  • For deep saddles (4"+), 60° center bends reduce the horizontal spread needed

A 3-point saddle goes UP and comes back DOWN symmetrically. The center bend is the full angle; the two outer bends are each half that angle.

Outer bend = Center angle ÷ 2
Outer spread = Depth × multiplier(outer angle)

4-Point Saddle

Two back-to-back offsets for wide obstructions.

Live Diagram
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Mark Positions
Enter values above
Field Tips
  • A 4-point saddle is literally two identical offsets end-to-end — master the offset first
  • 30° bends minimize total shrink while keeping the math easy (×2 multiplier)
  • For wide obstructions (beam flanges, HVAC ducts), this is your go-to method

A 4-point saddle is two offset bends placed back-to-back. The conduit goes UP, travels ACROSS the top, then comes back DOWN.

Between bends = Height × (1/sin θ)
Total shrink = 2 × Height × shrink constant

Parallel Offset

Stagger mark positions to keep conduits parallel through an offset.

Live Diagram
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Conduit Adjustments
Enter values above
Field Tips
  • Lay all conduits side-by-side and mark them simultaneously from the reference
  • Only mark positions change — all conduits bend at the same angle
  • Stack finished conduits to verify parallel exits before installing

Each successive conduit must travel a slightly longer path to maintain even spacing through the bend.

Adjustment per conduit = Spacing × tan(θ/2)

Rolling Offset

3D offset combining a vertical rise and horizontal roll.

Live Diagram
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Results
Enter rise and roll above
Field Tips
  • Mark the roll angle on the conduit before you start bending — don't eyeball it
  • Use a digital level or protractor to set the roll angle precisely
  • Keep the same roll angle for BOTH bends — this is the most common mistake

A rolling offset moves in two planes simultaneously. The key insight: by rolling the conduit to the correct angle before bending, the problem becomes a single-plane offset using the combined "true offset" as the rise.

True Offset = √(Rise² + Roll²)
Roll Angle = arctan(Rise / Roll)

Segmented Bend

Build a large-radius arc using multiple small-angle shots.

Live Diagram
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shots
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Results
Enter values above
Field Tips
  • Half-angle first and last shots give a smoother arc entry and exit
  • More segments = smoother arc, but more work and more chances for error
  • Use a trammel or string to verify the finished arc radius

A segmented bend approximates a smooth arc using a series of small-angle bends. The marks are evenly spaced along the developed arc length.

Developed Length = 2π × R × (θ/360)
Mark Spacing = Developed Length / N

Gain Calculator

How much conduit is "saved" by a bend's arc vs. two straight tangent lines.

Live Diagram
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Results
Enter angle above
Field Tips
  • Gain matters most when pre-cutting rigid or IMC conduit
  • For EMT usually bent in place, gain is less critical — but know it for inspections
  • Always gain-correct before cutting — you can't add length back

A bend arc is shorter than the sum of the two straight tangent lines it replaces. This difference is the "gain" — the conduit doesn't need to be as long as if it were all straight.

Gain = 2R·tan(θ/2) − πRθ/180

Back-to-Back 90s

Two 90° bends forming a U-shape — accurate mark positions for both stubs.

Live Diagram
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Mark Positions
Enter values above
Field Tips
  • Bend first 90° using ARROW mark — same as standard stub-up
  • For second bend, some benders use STAR/NOTCH instead of ARROW — verify with your bender
  • Measure B2B distance on the inside of the bends (from wall to wall of the U)
  • A framing square helps verify that both 90° bends are square to each other

Back-to-back 90s create a U-shape or offset-stub. The first mark is calculated like a normal stub-up. The second bend's mark is placed so that when bent 90°, the inside measurement equals the specified back-to-back distance.

Mark 1 = Stub Height − Take-Up
Mark 2 (from same end) = Stub Height + B2B Distance

Kicked 90°

A 90° stub with a lateral kick — exits at an angle to clear an obstacle.

Live Diagram
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Results
Enter values above
Field Tips
  • The kick bend ALWAYS happens before the 90° — bend kick first, 90° second
  • Small kick angles (under 10°) are usually made with a gentle single bend
  • Mark both bends clearly before starting — label which mark is which

A kicked 90° uses trigonometry to find the angle needed to offset the conduit's entry by a specified lateral amount over a given run.

Kick Angle = arctan(Kick / Run)
Mark 1 = Stub Height − Take-Up

Compound 90°

Route conduit around a round obstruction, then make a 90° turn.

Live Diagram
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Results
Enter values above
Field Tips
  • The two 45° bends act as a standard offset — use offset technique (flip 180° between bends)
  • Always add a bit of extra clearance to account for conduit OD and fitting roughness
  • Verify the offset clears the obstruction before bending the 90°

A compound 90° uses a standard 45° offset to route around the obstruction, then a 90° stub. The total offset required is the obstruction's radius plus clearance plus the conduit's own half-OD (center-line to surface).

Total Offset = Obs. Radius + Clearance + Conduit Half-OD
Between 45s = Total Offset × 1.4142

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About
BendWyze
v2.0 — 11 calculators with live diagrams

For reference use only. Always verify measurements with your specific bender. Calculated values may differ from actual results due to bender variation, conduit material, and technique.

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