How to Bend Conduit: Complete Beginner's Guide

Learning how to bend conduit is one of those skills that separates an apprentice from a journeyman. You can study the NEC all day, but if you can't put clean bends in a stick of EMT, you're going to have a hard time on any commercial job site. The good news: it's not as intimidating as it looks. The formulas are straightforward, the tools are simple, and with a few sticks of practice material you can learn every bend type that matters.

This guide covers the tools you need, the formulas behind every bend, and step-by-step instructions for each bend type. Whether you're bending EMT conduit for the first time or brushing up before a job, everything you need is here.

Tools You Need to Bend Conduit

Before you make a single bend, get the right tools on your bench. The bender does the heavy lifting, but accurate bends start with accurate measurements.

Hand Bender

A hand bender is the standard tool for bending EMT conduit in sizes from 1/2" through 1-1/4". The bender head (shoe) has a curved channel that matches the conduit diameter. Key markings on the shoe include:

• Arrow: Shows where the bend starts. You'll align your pencil marks here.
• Star/notch: Marks the back of a 90-degree bend. Used for back-to-back bends.
• Degree scale: Numbers on the side of the shoe (0, 10, 22.5, 30, 45, 60, 90) so you know when to stop bending.
• Rim notch: Used for saddle bends and precise mark alignment.

Klein, Ideal, and Greenlee all make quality hand benders. Pick one and learn its markings. Each bender has slightly different take-up and deduct values, so stick with the same brand once you start a job.

Other Essentials

• Tape measure: You'll be marking distances constantly. A 25-foot tape with 1/16" graduations works for most conduit work.
• Pencil or marker: Wrap your mark 360 degrees around the conduit so it's visible no matter how the pipe sits in the bender.
• Level: A torpedo level checks that your 90s are true. A magnetic level that sticks to the conduit is even better.
• Conduit reamer: After cutting conduit, the inside edge has burrs that will shred wire insulation. Ream every cut before you bend or install.
• Calculator: Mental math works for simple bends, but when you're running offsets, saddles, and parallel runs all day, a conduit bending calculator saves time and prevents costly mistakes.

Key Formulas and Concepts

Every conduit bend relies on a handful of formulas. Learn these and you can figure out any bend on the job. For a full reference, see our conduit bending formulas cheat sheet.

Take-Up

Take-up is the length of conduit used by a 90-degree bend. It varies by conduit size:

Standard take-up values for EMT hand benders by conduit size

EMT Size	Take-Up	Deduct	Gain
1/2"	5"	5"	3"
3/4"	6"	6"	4"
1"	8"	8"	6"
1-1/4"	11"	11"	8"

To calculate a stub-up: mark = desired stub height minus take-up. For a 14" stub in 1/2" EMT: 14 - 5 = 9". Mark the conduit at 9" and align that mark with the bender arrow. Use the 90-degree bend calculator to run the numbers.

Deduct

Deduct is used for back-to-back 90-degree bends. After making the first 90, you need to know where to place the second bend so the two legs are the correct distance apart. The deduct value for your conduit size gets subtracted from the desired distance. Our gain and deduct calculator handles this automatically.

Multiplier and Shrink

Offset and saddle bends use multipliers to calculate the distance between bends, and shrink constants to compensate for the conduit taking a longer path than a straight line. The multiplier chart has every value you need.

Offset bend multiplier and shrink values by degree

Bend Angle	Multiplier	Shrink per Inch	Common Use
10°	5.76	1/16"	Small offsets over boxes
22.5°	2.61	3/16"	Saddle bends
30°	2.00	1/4"	Most common offset angle
45°	1.41	3/8"	Large offsets, saddle centers
60°	1.15	1/2"	Steep offsets

The formula is: distance between marks = offset height x multiplier. For a 4" offset at 30 degrees: 4 x 2.0 = 8". Place your two marks 8 inches apart. Use the offset bend calculator or the bend multiplier calculator for quick results.

NEC 360-Degree Rule

Per NEC Section 358.26, the total degrees of bends between pull points cannot exceed 360 degrees. That's the equivalent of four quarter bends. Any combination of bends adding up to 360 is the maximum. Beyond that, pulling wire becomes excessively difficult and risks damaging conductor insulation. Plan your conduit route with this limit in mind. The degrees per inch calculator can help you check bend accumulation.

Every Bend Type Explained

There are six categories of conduit bends you'll encounter in the field. Here's what each one does, when you'll use it, and which calculator to reach for.

90-Degree Bends

The 90 is the most common conduit bend. You'll use it to transition conduit from horizontal to vertical (or vice versa), to turn corners, and to stub up into panels, boxes, and wireways.

• Stub-up: A single 90-degree bend that brings conduit straight up from a horizontal run. Mark = stub height minus take-up. 90-Degree Bend Calculator
• Back-to-back 90: Two 90-degree bends creating a U-shape. The second mark uses the star/notch on the bender, and you subtract the deduct from the desired distance between legs. Back-to-Back 90 Calculator
• Kicked 90 (kicked stub): A 90-degree bend followed by a smaller kick to offset the conduit laterally at the same time it turns a corner. Kicked 90 Calculator

Offset Bends

An offset moves the conduit path to a new parallel plane. You make two equal bends in opposite directions. Offsets are everywhere: getting around beams, going over other conduit runs, and transitioning from one mounting surface to another.

• Standard offset: Two equal-angle bends (typically 30 degrees) that shift the conduit horizontally or vertically. Distance between marks = offset depth x multiplier. Account for shrink by adjusting your first mark. Offset Bend Calculator
• Rolling offset: An offset that moves the conduit in two directions simultaneously (both horizontally and vertically). You calculate the true offset using the Pythagorean theorem, then apply the multiplier. Rolling Offset Calculator
• Parallel offset: Multiple conduit runs that need identical offsets, with each successive pipe shifted to maintain equal spacing. Parallel Offset Calculator

Saddle Bends

Saddle bends route conduit over an obstruction and back to the original plane. They're used when a pipe, duct, or another conduit crosses your path.

• 3-point saddle: Three bends (typically a 45-degree center bend with two 22.5-degree return bends) that create a hump. The center bend goes directly over the obstruction. See our full 3-point saddle tutorial for step-by-step instructions. 3-Point Saddle Calculator
• 4-point saddle: Four bends that create a trapezoidal shape, useful for wider obstructions. The conduit rises, runs level across the top of the obstruction, then descends back to the original level. See the 4-point saddle tutorial for details. 4-Point Saddle Calculator

Corner Bends

A corner bend lets you route conduit around a wall corner without using a fitting. It's essentially a 90-degree bend made at a specific point to follow the building's geometry. Corner Bend Calculator

Gain and Cut Length

When conduit bends, it takes a shorter path than if you used a fitting with straight stubs. That saved length is called gain. Knowing the gain for each bend lets you calculate the exact cut length before you start bending. The gain and deduct calculator gives you these values instantly.

Shrink

Offset and saddle bends cause the conduit to take a longer path than a straight line, which "shortens" the effective reach. This lost distance is called shrink. You add shrink to your first mark to compensate. The conduit shrink calculator computes shrink for any offset depth and bend angle.

Your First Bend: The 90-Degree Stub-Up

If you're learning how to bend conduit for the first time, start here. The stub-up teaches the fundamentals that apply to every other bend.

Step 1: Look Up the Take-Up

Check the shoe of your bender or the table above. For 1/2" EMT, the take-up is 5 inches.

Step 2: Calculate and Mark

Say you need a 12-inch stub (conduit coming straight up 12 inches from the floor). Subtract take-up: 12 - 5 = 7 inches. Measure 7 inches from the end of the conduit and wrap a pencil mark all the way around. As EC&M's bending guide recommends, always girdle the conduit 360 degrees with your mark so it stays visible no matter how the pipe rotates in the bender.

Step 3: Load the Bender

Slide the conduit into the bender shoe. Line up your pencil mark with the arrow on the bender head. The conduit should sit flat on the floor with the bender handle angled behind you.

Step 4: Bend

Place one foot on the footpad. Keep your other foot behind you for balance. Apply steady downward pressure with your foot while pulling the handle toward you in a smooth arc. Watch the degree markings on the shoe. Stop when the conduit reaches 90 degrees on the scale.

Step 5: Check with a Level

Stand the conduit on the floor with the stub pointing up. Place a torpedo level on the vertical leg. If the bubble isn't centered, you're either over or under 90 degrees. Under-bent? Put it back in the bender and push a few more degrees. Over-bent? You can sometimes spring it back slightly, but it's better to approach 90 gradually.

Step 6: Measure the Stub Height

The distance from the floor to the top of the stub should be 12 inches (your target). If it's off, double-check that your take-up value matches your bender and that you measured from the correct end.

Moving On: Offset Bends

Once you can nail a 90, offsets are the next bend to learn. You'll use them constantly.

Worked Example: 4-Inch Offset at 30 Degrees

1. Calculate distance between marks: 4" (offset depth) x 2.0 (30-degree multiplier) = 8 inches.
2. Calculate shrink: 4" x 1/4" per inch = 1 inch of shrink.
3. Place the first mark: Measure from the end of the conduit to where you want the offset to start, then add 1 inch for shrink.
4. Place the second mark: 8 inches from the first mark, toward the end of the conduit.
5. Bend the first 30 degrees: Align the first mark with the bender arrow. Bend to 30 degrees.
6. Flip and bend the second 30 degrees: Rotate the conduit 180 degrees in the bender. Align the second mark with the arrow. Bend to 30 degrees.
7. Check for dog legs: Lay the conduit on a flat surface. Both ends should sit flat. If one end lifts, the conduit rotated between bends (a dog leg). Keep the pipe flat against the floor during both bends to prevent this.

Skip the manual math and use the offset bend calculator to get mark placement and shrink in seconds.

Conduit Types and Bending

Not all conduit bends the same way. The material, wall thickness, and diameter affect which bender you need and how much force it takes. For a full breakdown, see our conduit types reference.

Conduit types and their bending characteristics

Conduit Type	Wall Thickness	Bending Tool	Bending Difficulty
EMT	Thin	Hand bender	Easiest
IMC	Medium	Hand bender (small sizes) / mechanical bender	Moderate
Rigid (RMC)	Thick	Mechanical or hydraulic bender	Hardest
PVC	Varies	Heat blanket or heat gun	Different technique entirely

EMT is the go-to for learning. It's lightweight and forgiving. According to NFPA 70 (the NEC), EMT installations must follow Article 358 for bending requirements, including minimum bend radius and the 360-degree rule.

Wire Fill: Before You Bend

Before you bend a single stick of conduit, make sure you've selected the right conduit size for the number and size of conductors you're pulling. The NEC limits how much of the conduit's internal area the wires can occupy. Our conduit fill chart shows the maximum wire counts by conduit and wire size, or use the conduit fill calculator to check quickly.

Undersized conduit means you can't pull wire. Oversized conduit wastes material and takes up more space. Getting fill right before you start bending saves you from ripping out and redoing a run.

Common Mistakes When Learning to Bend Conduit

Every electrician has wasted a few sticks of EMT learning these lessons. Save yourself some material.

• Not reaming after cutting: Burrs on the cut end will strip wire insulation during pulling. Mike Holt's bending manual lists reaming as step one before any bend. Ream every cut, no exceptions.
• Forgetting shrink: Offset and saddle bends eat up conduit length. If you don't add shrink to your first mark, the conduit won't reach where it needs to go. The shrink calculator prevents this.
• Dog legs: The conduit rotates between bends, so the two legs of your offset aren't in the same plane. Keep the pipe flat against the floor and use an anti-dog technique (foot pressure behind the bender) on the second bend.
• Over-bending: It's much harder to spring a bend back than to add a few more degrees. Approach your target angle gradually and check with a level.
• Using the wrong take-up: Different bender brands and conduit sizes have different take-up values. Using the wrong number throws off every stub-up you make. Verify yours with the 90-degree bend calculator.
• Exceeding 360 degrees in a run: Keep a running count of your bend degrees. If you're approaching the limit, add a pull point (junction box or conduit body).
• Not marking 360 degrees around the conduit: A mark on only one side disappears when the conduit rotates in the bender. Wrap the line completely around so it's always visible.

Conduit Bending Tips for the Job Site

These are the things that make the difference between a clean installation and a hack job.

• Bend from the same end: Always measure and make your first bend from the same end of the conduit. Consistency eliminates a whole category of errors.
• Use a flat surface: Bend on a clean, flat floor. Uneven surfaces cause dog legs and make it hard to verify that your bends are in plane.
• Practice on scrap: When you're learning a new bend type, use scrap EMT first. The cheapest conduit is still cheaper than the time it takes to redo a run.
• Label your conduit: On parallel runs, label each stick (1, 2, 3...) so you don't mix them up after bending.
• Check the NEC fill table: Before you start, confirm your conduit size can handle the wire count. See the NEC conduit fill chart or use the fill calculator.
• Plan the route first: Walk the run, count the bends, and make sure you stay under 360 degrees. If the route needs more, add a pull box.
• Let the app do the math: Conduit Bending handles offsets, saddles, 90s, rolled bends, and parallel runs. Punch in your measurements and get mark placement, shrink, and cut length instantly.

Using the Conduit Bending App

Conduit Bending is a free iOS app with 16 built-in calculators covering every bend type. Here's how it fits into your workflow:

• Offset bends: Enter the offset depth and angle. The app returns the distance between marks, shrink, and total conduit needed. Try the online offset calculator.
• Saddle bends: Enter the obstruction height and width. The app calculates all three or four bend marks and the shrink. 3-Point Saddle Calculator | 4-Point Saddle Calculator
• 90-degree bends: Enter stub height and conduit size. Get the mark position instantly. 90-Degree Calculator | Back-to-Back 90 Calculator
• Rolling offsets: Enter the rise and roll. The app computes the true offset and all mark distances. Rolling Offset Calculator
• Wire pull planning: Check conduit fill before you bend with the wire pull calculator and fill calculator.

The app supports EMT, IMC, and rigid conduit in sizes from 1/2" to 4", with a built-in bender library that adjusts take-up and deduct values automatically. See all features here.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest conduit bend to learn first?

The 90-degree stub-up is the easiest bend to learn. You mark one measurement on the conduit, align it to the bender arrow, and step down. It teaches you how the bender works, how to read the degree scale, and how take-up affects your mark placement. Once you can stub up consistently, move on to offsets and back-to-back 90s.

How many degrees of bends can you have in one conduit run?

Per NEC Section 358.26, the total bends between pull points cannot exceed 360 degrees. That equals four 90-degree bends, or any combination adding up to 360 degrees. Beyond that limit, wire pulling friction becomes excessive and can damage conductor insulation.

What size EMT conduit should a beginner practice on?

Start with 1/2-inch EMT. It's the lightest, cheapest, and easiest to bend by hand. A 1/2-inch hand bender requires minimal foot pressure, so you can focus on technique rather than fighting the material. Once you're consistent with 1/2-inch, move up to 3/4-inch and then 1-inch.

What is the difference between a conduit bender and a hickey?

A hand bender (like a Klein or Ideal bender) has a long, curved shoe that forms a smooth bend in one motion. A hickey is a short-radius tool that bends conduit in small bites, a few degrees at a time. Hand benders are used for EMT. Hickeys are sometimes used for rigid conduit in smaller sizes, but they're harder to control and more likely to kink the pipe.

Why does my conduit keep coming out with dog legs?

A dog leg happens when the two bends in an offset aren't in the same plane. The conduit rotates slightly between bends, so the finished piece doesn't lie flat. To fix this, keep the conduit pressed flat against the floor during both bends. Some electricians use an anti-dog device or press their foot on the conduit behind the bender to lock it in place.