Offset Bend Calculator
An offset bend moves conduit from one plane to a parallel plane using two equal-angle bends in opposite directions. It is the most common bend in electrical conduit work, used to route around obstacles, transition between surfaces, or align conduit with boxes and fittings.
This calculator takes your offset height and bend angle and returns the travel distance between marks, the total shrink, and the multiplier used in the formula.
Offset Bend Formulas
Travel = Offset Height × Multiplier
Multiplier = 1 / sin(bend angle)
Shrink = Offset Height × Shrink Per Inch
Shrink per inch varies by bend angle
The multiplier converts your offset height into the distance between the two bend marks on the conduit. Common multipliers are:
| Bend Angle | Multiplier | Shrink Per Inch |
|---|---|---|
| 10° | 5.759 | 1/16" |
| 22.5° | 2.613 | 3/16" |
| 30° | 2.000 | 1/4" |
| 45° | 1.414 | 3/8" |
| 60° | 1.155 | 1/2" |
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the offset height — the perpendicular distance between the two parallel conduit runs. You can enter inches, feet-inches, or fractions.
- Select the bend angle — 30° is the most common for hand benders, but choose the angle that matches your situation.
- Read the results — Travel is the distance between your two marks. Shrink is how much shorter the conduit becomes end-to-end.
Use the unit switcher above the results to toggle between feet-inch-fraction, decimal feet, decimal inches, and metric output.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an offset bend in conduit?
An offset bend is a pair of equal bends in opposite directions that move conduit from one plane to a parallel plane. It is the most common bend type in electrical conduit work, used to route conduit around obstacles or transition between different mounting surfaces.
How do you calculate the travel distance for an offset bend?
Travel distance equals the offset height multiplied by the bend multiplier. For example, a 6-inch offset at 30 degrees uses a multiplier of 2.0, so the travel (distance between marks) is 12 inches. Common multipliers are 6.0 for 10 degrees, 2.6 for 22.5 degrees, 2.0 for 30 degrees, 1.4 for 45 degrees, and 1.2 for 60 degrees.
What is shrink in an offset bend and why does it matter?
Shrink is the amount of conduit length lost when making an offset bend. Because the conduit travels at an angle instead of straight, the overall end-to-end length decreases. You need to account for shrink when measuring your conduit to avoid cutting it too short. The shrink amount depends on the offset height and the bend angle.