How many inches do you deduct for a 90 degree bend?

Deduct 5 inches for a 90 degree bend in half inch EMT, 6 inches for three quarter, and 8 inches for 1 inch. Those take-up numbers are cast into most hand benders.

The deduct works like this: measure to where the conduit must turn, subtract the take-up for your size, mark there, and line the mark with the bender's arrow. The stub comes out at the length you measured.

Larger conduit and different bender shoes change the number, so trust the figure stamped on the tool you are holding over any table.

Consistent deducts are what make multi-bend runs land where they should; a half inch of slop per bend adds up fast.

The conduit bending calculator does the deduct math for every size and bend angle, offline, on the job.