Conduit Bending for Apprentices: 90° Stubs, Offsets, Saddles and the Multiplier Table (Worked Examples)

Tsai Electro is an independent learning site. Not affiliated with any tool brand, TDLR or PSI. Field multipliers and take-up values below come from Klein Tools’ published bender guide; the exact values are our own trigonometry. Your bender’s markings and your foreman’s method come first.

The multiplier and shrink table

Bend angle	Field multiplier	Exact (1 ÷ sin)	Field shrink per inch of depth	Exact shrink per inch
10°	6.0	5.759	1/16 in (0.063)	0.087
22.5°	2.6	2.613	3/16 in (0.188)	0.199
30°	2.0	2.000	1/4 in (0.250)	0.268
45°	1.4	1.414	3/8 in (0.375)	0.414
60°	1.2	1.155	1/2 in (0.500)	0.577

Field values: Klein Tools Conduit Bender Guide. Exact values: multiplier = 1 ÷ sin(angle); shrink per inch = tan(angle ÷ 2).

Why it works. In an offset, the conduit between the two bends is the long side of a right triangle, and the offset depth is the short side opposite the bend angle. So the distance between bends = depth ÷ sin(angle). Shrink is the reduction in the conduit’s straight-line run caused by an offset or saddle: depth × (1 ÷ sin − 1 ÷ tan), which simplifies to depth × tan(angle ÷ 2). At 30°: 2.000 − 1.732 = 0.268.

The field numbers are rounded for speed. At 30° the multiplier is exact, and the field shrink is a little low: on a 4-inch offset, 1.00 inch versus 1.07 inches.

Worked example 1: a 30° offset

You need to clear a 4-inch-deep obstruction that starts 30 inches from the end of a stick of 1/2-inch EMT. You choose 30° bends.

1. Distance between marks: 4 × 2.0 = 8 inches.
2. Shrink: 4 × 1/4 = 1 inch.
3. First mark: for this simplified layout, assume the 30-inch dimension is measured from the conduit end to the target location of the first bend. Add the 1-inch field shrink allowance to obtain a 31-inch reference mark. Actual bend placement depends on the obstruction geometry, the direction of the offset, and the reference marks on your bender. Check these before bending.
4. Second mark: 8 inches back toward the end, at 31 − 8 = 23 inches.
5. Make two opposing 30° bends in the same plane so the conduit leaves the offset parallel to its original direction. Follow the bender manufacturer’s instructions for hook orientation and reference-mark alignment.

Geometry check: an ideal 8-inch segment at 30° has a horizontal projection of 8 × cos 30° = 6.93 inches and a rise of 8 × sin 30° = 4.00 inches, the depth you wanted. These calculations verify the offset geometry, but they do not replace checking the actual bend locations, take-up and clearance against the obstruction.

Tolerance check: the skill target for this node is mark placement within 2% of the calculated spacing. On 8 inches, 2% is 0.16 inch, a little over 1/8 inch (0.125 inch) and under 3/16 inch (0.188 inch).

Worked example 2: a 90° stub

You need a 10-inch stub-up on 1/2-inch EMT.

1. Take-up for 1/2-inch EMT on the Klein guide’s table: 5 inches. The same table lists 6 inches for 3/4-inch EMT and 8 inches for 1-inch EMT.
2. Mark: 10 − 5 = 5 inches from the end.
3. Line the bender’s arrow up with the mark, hook toward the free end, and bend to 90°, checking with a level.

Take-up differs between bender brands and sizes. Read the number stamped on your bender head before you trust any table.

Worked example 3: a 3-point saddle

For a layout exercise, assume the required saddle rise is 3 inches and the center of the obstruction is 36 inches from the end. You use a 45° center bend and two 22.5° return bends. In the field, determine the required rise from the actual obstruction dimensions and clearance before marking the conduit.

1. Klein’s saddle table for a 45° center: add 3/16 inch of shrink per inch of obstruction height, and place the outer marks 2-1/2 inches from center per inch of height.
2. Shrink: 3 × 3/16 = 9/16 inch.
3. Center mark: 36 + 9/16 = 36-9/16 inches.
4. Distance to outer marks: 3 × 2-1/2 = 7-1/2 inches.
5. Outer marks: 36-9/16 − 7-1/2 = 29-1/16 inches, and 36-9/16 + 7-1/2 = 44-1/16 inches.
6. Bend 45° at the center mark using the center-of-bend notch, then 22.5° at each outer mark.

Check in decimals: 36.5625 − 7.5 = 29.0625 and 36.5625 + 7.5 = 44.0625. Both match.

The 360° rule

The 2023 NEC limits an EMT run to 360° of total bends between pull points under Section 358.26. This is the established rule used in the exercise below. Before relying on it for a 2026 NEC installation or exam, check the applicable provision in your 2026 NEC and any local amendments.

Example: a run with one 30° offset (30 + 30 = 60°), two 90° bends (180°) and one 3-point saddle (45 + 22.5 + 22.5 = 90°).

1. Total: 60 + 180 + 90 = 330°.
2. The 330° total is within the 360° bend limit. However, this calculation alone does not establish that the run meets every applicable installation requirement or that a pull point would not be useful for pulling conductors.
3. Add one more 45° offset (90°) and the total becomes 420°, so you need a pull point.

Bending habits that save conduit

• Use the bender that matches the conduit size and type.
• Some springback is normal. Overbend slightly so the conduit rests at the angle you want.
• For a two-bend offset or three-point saddle intended to stay in one plane, keep the bends aligned to avoid an unintended dogleg. Other conduit layouts may require bends in different planes.
• Use foot pressure on the heel and the handle as a guide, as the Klein guide describes.
• Ream and deburr every cut before you pull wire.

Check yourself

Our own practice questions. Answers below each.

1. A 5-inch offset at 45°: what spacing and shrink? Answer: Using Klein’s field values, 5 × 1.4 = 7 inches between marks, and 5 × 3/8 = 1-7/8 inches of shrink. These are field estimates; the ideal geometric values are approximately 7.07 inches of spacing and 2.07 inches of shrink.
2. A 3-inch offset at 22.5°: what spacing and shrink? Answer: 3 × 2.6 = 7.8 inches; shrink 3 × 3/16 = 9/16 inch.
3. A 12-inch stub on 3/4-inch EMT with a 6-inch take-up: where is the mark? Answer: 12 − 6 = 6 inches from the end.
4. Under the 360° EMT bend rule described above, is this layout within the limit? Two 90s, two 45° offsets and one 30° offset between pull points. Answer: 180° + 180° + 60° = 420°, which exceeds the assumed 360° limit. A compliant redesign would need an additional pull point or fewer bends. Confirm the applicable requirement in the 2026 NEC and any local amendments.

FAQ

Sources checked October 2026

• Klein Tools Conduit Bender Guide: https://data.kleintools.com/sites/all/product_assets/documents/instructions/klein/ConduitBenderGuide.pdf
• TDLR rule adoption notice, 2026 NEC: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/news/rulemaking/2026/09/01/commission-adopts-rules-12/
• NFPA 70 (NEC), 2026 edition, Article 358, read in your own copy: https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-70-standard-development/70