How to Bend Conduit Offsets: Formulas, Multipliers & Examples

The offset bend is the bread and butter of conduit work. Every commercial job, every industrial panel room, every residential run that dodges a beam or shifts to meet a box requires at least one offset. Get it right and the run looks professional. Get it wrong and you're pulling out the conduit, cutting a new piece, and starting over.

This guide walks through the offset bend formula from the ground up: what each variable means, how to pick the right angle, and how to apply shrink so your conduit actually lands where it needs to. You'll find worked examples at every common angle (22.5, 30, 45, and 60 degrees) plus a quick-reference table you can save to your phone.

What Is an Offset Bend?

An offset bend uses two equal bends in opposite directions to shift a conduit run from one plane to a parallel plane. The conduit goes up (or over), travels a short diagonal, and levels off at the new height. Unlike a 3-point saddle, which goes over an obstruction and returns to the original path, an offset stays at the new level permanently.

You'll use offsets to transition from a surface-mounted run to a flush panel, to dodge structural members, to move conduit from one rack level to another, or to align with knockouts that aren't on the same plane as your run. According to EC&M's conduit bending guide (Part 2), the offset is the second bend type every apprentice learns after the stub-up, and it's the one they'll make most often throughout their career.

The Offset Bend Formula

Every conduit offset comes down to two calculations. Miss either one and the bend won't work.

Distance Between Bends

Distance Between Bends = Offset Depth x Multiplier

The offset depth is how far the conduit needs to shift, measured perpendicular to the original run. The multiplier comes from the bend angle you choose. It's the cosecant of the angle (1 / sin(angle)), but you don't need trig on the job. Just memorize the values for the four common angles.

Shrink

Shrink = Offset Depth x Shrink Constant

When you put an offset in conduit, the conduit gets shorter. The diagonal path between the two bends takes up more length than the straight-line distance it replaces. If you don't add the shrink to your first mark, the far end of the conduit will come up short. That means a coupling, a piece of strut, or a new stick of pipe.

Add the shrink amount to the distance from the conduit end to the first bend mark. This pushes the first mark farther from the end, which compensates for the length the offset consumes. For a deeper look at shrink values and the math behind them, see the conduit bending formulas reference.

Offset Multiplier and Shrink Table

This table covers the four angles you'll use for nearly every offset bend on the job. Keep it in your phone or tape it inside your toolbox lid.

Offset bend multipliers, shrink constants, and practical notes by bend angle

Bend Angle	Multiplier	Shrink per Inch	When to Use
22.5°	2.613	3/16"	Shallow offsets, gentle transitions, tight bend-degree budgets
30°	2.000	1/4"	Standard offset (most common), easy mental math
45°	1.414	3/8"	Deep offsets in shorter runs, when space is limited
60°	1.155	1/2"	Very deep offsets in tight spaces, maximum shift per inch of travel

Need a multiplier for a non-standard angle? The offset bend calculator handles any angle. Or check the full conduit bending multiplier chart which covers every degree from 5 to 60.

Choosing the Right Angle

The angle you pick affects three things: how much conduit the offset consumes, how much shrink you need to add, and how much of your 360-degree NEC bend allowance it eats.

30 degrees is the industry default. The multiplier is 2, so you double the offset depth in your head. The shrink is a clean 1/4 inch per inch. A 4-inch offset uses 60 degrees of your bend budget (two 30-degree bends). Most electricians reach for 30 without thinking about it, and for good reason.

22.5 degrees gives you a gentler slope and less shrink. It's a good choice for shallow offsets (under 3 inches) or when you're running close to the 360-degree limit and need to conserve bend degrees. The trade-off is that the bends are farther apart, so the offset stretches over a longer section of conduit.

45 degrees covers more depth in less horizontal space. Use it when you need a deep offset but don't have room for the longer run that 30 degrees would require. The downside is more shrink (3/8" per inch vs. 1/4") and a steeper transition that's harder to keep looking clean, especially on parallel runs.

60 degrees is reserved for tight spots where no other angle fits. The offset is compact but aggressive. Shrink is 1/2 inch per inch, so on a 6-inch offset you're adding 3 full inches to your first mark. Miss that and the conduit comes up way short.

How to Bend an Offset: Step by Step

This procedure works for any angle. The example uses 30 degrees because it's what you'll use most.

Step 1: Measure the Offset Depth

Hold a level or straightedge against the existing run (or the surface the conduit will mount to). Measure the perpendicular distance to the new plane. That distance is your offset depth. Don't measure at an angle along the wall. The depth must be perpendicular to the conduit run.

Step 2: Calculate Distance Between Bends

Multiply the offset depth by the multiplier for your chosen angle.

Example: 5-inch offset at 30 degrees = 5 x 2.0 = 10 inches between marks.

Step 3: Calculate Shrink

Multiply the offset depth by the shrink constant for your angle.

Example: 5 inches x 1/4" = 1-1/4 inches of shrink.

Step 4: Place Your Marks

Determine where the offset needs to start (measured from the end of the conduit). Add the shrink to that measurement. This is your first mark. From the first mark, measure the distance between bends and place your second mark.

Example: Offset starts 20 inches from the end. First mark = 20 + 1-1/4 = 21-1/4 inches. Second mark = 21-1/4 + 10 = 31-1/4 inches.

Step 5: Make the First Bend

Place the bender arrow on the first mark. Step on the foot pedal and pull the handle until the conduit reaches your target angle. Use the degree scale on the bender to verify. Most hand benders have markings at 10, 22.5, 30, and 45 degrees.

Step 6: Make the Second Bend

Flip the conduit 180 degrees (rotate it so the first bend points toward the ground). Place the bender on the second mark. Bend to the same angle. The conduit should now have a clean offset with the two ends running parallel. Lay it against a flat surface to verify both ends sit flush.

Worked Examples at Every Common Angle

These four examples cover every standard angle. Each one uses a different offset depth so you can see how the numbers change. Use the offset bend calculator to verify any of these calculations or run your own.

Example 1: 22.5-Degree Offset (3-Inch Depth)

You're running 1/2" EMT along a ceiling and need a shallow 3-inch offset to clear a sprinkler pipe. The offset starts 18 inches from the end of the conduit.

1. Distance between bends: 3" x 2.613 = 7.839", round to 7-7/8"
2. Shrink: 3" x 3/16" = 9/16"
3. First mark: 18" + 9/16" = 18-9/16" from the end
4. Second mark: 18-9/16" + 7-7/8" = 26-7/16" from the end
5. Bend the first mark to 22.5 degrees. Flip, bend the second mark to 22.5 degrees in the opposite direction.

The 22.5-degree angle produces a gradual transition that's easy to pull wire through. Total bend degrees used: 45 (22.5 + 22.5), leaving plenty of your 360-degree budget for the rest of the run.

Example 2: 30-Degree Offset (5-Inch Depth)

A 5-inch offset around a steel beam. The offset starts 24 inches from the conduit end. This is the most common scenario you'll encounter.

1. Distance between bends: 5" x 2.0 = 10"
2. Shrink: 5" x 1/4" = 1-1/4"
3. First mark: 24" + 1-1/4" = 25-1/4" from the end
4. Second mark: 25-1/4" + 10" = 35-1/4" from the end
5. Bend the first mark to 30 degrees. Flip, bend the second mark to 30 degrees opposite.

Notice how clean the math is at 30 degrees. Double the depth for the spacing, quarter the depth for the shrink. That's why 30 is the go-to angle. As noted in Mike Holt's hand bending guide, the 30-degree offset is where most apprentices build their confidence before moving to steeper angles.

Example 3: 45-Degree Offset (6-Inch Depth)

A deep offset in a mechanical room where space is tight. The obstruction requires 6 inches of shift, and you don't have room for the 12-inch mark spacing that 30 degrees would need.

1. Distance between bends: 6" x 1.414 = 8.484", round to 8-1/2"
2. Shrink: 6" x 3/8" = 2-1/4"
3. First mark: If offset starts at 30" from end: 30" + 2-1/4" = 32-1/4"
4. Second mark: 32-1/4" + 8-1/2" = 40-3/4"
5. Bend both marks to 45 degrees in opposite directions.

The 45-degree offset covers the same 6-inch depth in 8-1/2 inches instead of the 12 inches a 30-degree bend would need. But the shrink jumps from 1-1/2" (at 30 degrees) to 2-1/4". That extra 3/4 inch matters. Skip it and your conduit terminates almost an inch short of the box.

Example 4: 60-Degree Offset (4-Inch Depth)

A steep offset in an extremely tight space. You only have about 5 inches of straight conduit between the two bends.

1. Distance between bends: 4" x 1.155 = 4.62", round to 4-5/8"
2. Shrink: 4" x 1/2" = 2"
3. First mark: If offset starts at 14" from end: 14" + 2" = 16"
4. Second mark: 16" + 4-5/8" = 20-5/8"
5. Bend both marks to 60 degrees in opposite directions.

60 degrees packs the offset into the smallest space, but 2 inches of shrink on a 4-inch offset is aggressive. This angle is also harder to hit precisely on a hand bender because most benders don't have a 60-degree marking. You'll need to watch the conduit angle carefully or use a digital angle finder.

How to Do This in Conduit Bending

The math above is straightforward once you've done it a few times. But on a busy job with a dozen offsets at different depths and angles, doing the arithmetic by hand invites mistakes. That's where Conduit Bending comes in.

Open the Conduit Bending app and select the Offset calculator. Enter the offset depth and pick your angle. The app gives you the distance between marks, the shrink, and both mark locations from the conduit end. Results display in feet-inches-fractions, the format you actually mark on conduit.

What the app handles that a formula can't:

• Any angle: Not limited to the four standard angles. Enter 37 degrees if that's what the job calls for.
• Parallel offsets: When you're bending multiple conduits side by side, each one needs different mark spacing to maintain uniform separation. The parallel offset calculator figures out every conduit in the group.
• Bender-specific data: The app's bender library includes take-up and deduct values for every common bender from 1/2" to 4" EMT, IMC, and rigid.
• Fraction output: Results come back as 8-1/2" instead of 8.484". No decimal-to-fraction conversions needed.

You can also use the free online Offset Bend Calculator right in your browser if you don't have the app installed yet.

Common Mistakes with Offset Bends

The offset formula is simple, but applying it in the field is where things go wrong. These are the errors that waste the most conduit.

• Forgetting shrink entirely. This is the number one mistake on offset bends. You calculate the mark spacing correctly, place your bends at the right angle, and the conduit still comes up short. Shrink is not optional. Add it to every single offset.
• Measuring offset depth at an angle. The offset depth must be perpendicular to the conduit run. If you measure along the wall or at some random angle, the depth will be wrong and the offset won't match the obstruction. Use a level or square to get a true perpendicular measurement.
• Mismatched bend angles. Both bends must be exactly the same angle. If the first bend is 30 degrees and the second is 27 degrees, the conduit won't sit flat and the run will look sloppy. Take the time to hit the angle mark on your bender precisely. Check with a protractor or digital angle finder if you're not confident in the bender's degree scale.
• Flipping the conduit the wrong way. After the first bend, you rotate the conduit 180 degrees to make the second bend in the opposite direction. If you rotate 90 degrees instead, you'll get a dog-leg bend instead of an offset. The two bends must be in the same plane.
• Rounding too aggressively. The multiplier for 45 degrees is 1.414, not 1.4. On a 10-inch offset, that 0.014 difference equals about 1/8 inch. On a single conduit that's negligible, but on a parallel run of six conduits, the cumulative error becomes visible. Use the precise multiplier or let the calculator handle it.
• Not accounting for spring-back. Conduit springs back slightly after bending, especially on larger sizes and with rigid or IMC conduit. If your offset measures 28 degrees instead of 30 after bending, over-bend slightly and verify with a protractor.

Quick Reference: Pre-Calculated Offset Values

This table gives you the distance between marks and total shrink for common offset depths at all four standard angles. Save it to your phone or print it for the job site.

Pre-calculated distance between bends and shrink for common offset depths at 22.5, 30, 45, and 60 degrees

Offset Depth	22.5° Spacing / Shrink	30° Spacing / Shrink	45° Spacing / Shrink	60° Spacing / Shrink
2"	5-1/4" / 3/8"	4" / 1/2"	2-7/8" / 3/4"	2-5/16" / 1"
3"	7-7/8" / 9/16"	6" / 3/4"	4-1/4" / 1-1/8"	3-1/2" / 1-1/2"
4"	10-1/2" / 3/4"	8" / 1"	5-5/8" / 1-1/2"	4-5/8" / 2"
5"	13-1/16" / 15/16"	10" / 1-1/4"	7-1/16" / 1-7/8"	5-3/4" / 2-1/2"
6"	15-11/16" / 1-1/8"	12" / 1-1/2"	8-1/2" / 2-1/4"	6-15/16" / 3"
8"	20-7/8" / 1-1/2"	16" / 2"	11-5/16" / 3"	9-1/4" / 4"
10"	26-1/8" / 1-7/8"	20" / 2-1/2"	14-1/8" / 3-3/4"	11-9/16" / 5"

For offset depths not listed here, use the Offset Bend Calculator or the Conduit Shrink Calculator for exact values.

Offsets vs. Saddle Bends

New electricians sometimes confuse offsets with saddle bends. They use the same multipliers and shrink values, but they serve different purposes.

Comparison of offset bends vs. saddle bends in conduit work

Feature	Offset Bend	Saddle Bend
Purpose	Shifts conduit to a new parallel plane permanently	Goes over an obstruction and returns to the original plane
Number of bends	2 (equal, opposite direction)	3 (3-point) or 4 (4-point)
End result	Conduit stays at the new height	Conduit returns to starting height
Common use	Panel transitions, rack changes, knockout alignment	Crossing pipes, cable trays, other conduit runs
Related calculator	Offset Bend Calculator	3-Point Saddle Calculator

A 4-point saddle is essentially two offset bends placed back-to-back. If you can bend offsets, you can bend a 4-point saddle. Just double the shrink and you're set. For the 3-point saddle, the center bend is at the full angle and the outer bends are at half, but the same multiplier and shrink logic applies.

Parallel Offset Bends

When you're bending multiple conduits in a parallel run, every conduit needs a slightly different mark spacing. The conduit on the outside of the offset travels a longer diagonal than the one on the inside. If you use the same spacing for all of them, the conduits will converge at the bends and spread apart on the straights.

The fix is to adjust each conduit's offset depth. The first conduit uses the measured offset depth. Each subsequent conduit adds the center-to-center spacing between conduits to its depth. Then you recalculate the distance between bends and shrink for each one individually.

This gets tedious fast on a 4- or 6-conduit rack. The Parallel Offset Calculator does all of it at once. Enter the base offset depth, the number of conduits, and the spacing, and it returns every conduit's mark locations. The Conduit Bending app includes this as one of its 16 built-in bend calculators.

NEC Considerations for Offset Bends

The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) doesn't have a section specifically about offset bends, but two general bending rules apply directly.

360-degree rule (NEC 358.26 for EMT): The total degrees of bends between pull points can't exceed 360 degrees. Every offset adds twice the bend angle to your total. A single 30-degree offset uses 60 degrees. Two offsets and a 90 in the same run puts you at 150 degrees. Add two more 90s and you're at 330 degrees, leaving room for maybe one more shallow offset. Track your total carefully on long runs with multiple direction changes.

Minimum bending radius: NEC Chapter 9, Table 2 specifies minimum bending radii by conduit size. Standard hand benders comply automatically. But if you're field-bending with a hickey or making segment bends on larger conduit, verify you're meeting the minimum. A too-tight bend can damage conductor insulation during wire pulls, according to the NEC conduit fill requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an offset bend in conduit?

An offset bend is a pair of equal bends in opposite directions that shift the conduit from one plane to another. Electricians use offset bends to route conduit around obstructions like beams, pipes, or junction boxes while keeping the run parallel to the wall or ceiling. The two bends are made at the same angle, and the distance between them is calculated using the offset multiplier for that angle.

What is the offset bend formula?

The offset bend formula has two parts. First, Distance Between Bends = Offset Depth x Multiplier. The multiplier is the cosecant of the bend angle (1 divided by the sine). Second, Shrink = Offset Depth x Shrink Constant. The shrink compensates for the conduit shortening when bent. For a 30-degree offset, the multiplier is 2.0 and the shrink constant is 1/4 inch per inch of offset depth.

What is the best angle for an offset bend?

30 degrees is the most popular angle for offset bends. The multiplier is 2.0, which makes mental math easy, and the shrink constant of 1/4 inch per inch is simple to calculate. Use 22.5 degrees for shallow offsets where you have room for a gradual transition. Use 45 degrees when you need to cover more depth in a shorter run. Use 60 degrees only in tight spaces where a steep transition is acceptable.

How do you calculate shrink for an offset bend?

Multiply the offset depth by the shrink constant for your bend angle. At 22.5 degrees, shrink is 3/16 inch per inch of offset. At 30 degrees, it is 1/4 inch per inch. At 45 degrees, it is 3/8 inch per inch. At 60 degrees, it is 1/2 inch per inch. Add the total shrink to your first bend mark to keep the conduit end point accurate. For example, a 6-inch offset at 30 degrees produces 1-1/2 inches of shrink.

What is the difference between an offset bend and a saddle bend?

An offset bend shifts the conduit permanently from one plane to a parallel plane. It uses two bends and the conduit stays at the new level. A saddle bend goes over an obstruction and returns to the original plane. A 3-point saddle uses three bends and a 4-point saddle uses four. Use an offset when the conduit needs to stay at a different height. Use a saddle when it needs to cross over something and come back.