WireGaugeCalc Free calculator · NEC cited · works offline
Saddle Bend Calculator
Saddle bend calculator is fast with WireGaugeCalc, since it works out the center mark and the two outer marks for a three-bend saddle from the obstruction height you enter.
You give it the pipe diameter and the height of the pipe or beam you need to clear, and it returns the center bend angle, the side bend angles, and the spacing between marks.
That means you can lay out the saddle once and bend it right the first time instead of guessing and wasting conduit.
Open the calculatorEnter any two values and read the rest.
Ohm’s law: V = I × R and P = V × I. Field aid only, verify against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction.
How the three-bend saddle math works
A center bend of 45 degrees pairs with two 22.5 degree side bends, so the multiplier for spacing the side marks is 2.5 times the obstruction height.
Pick a smaller center angle like 22.5 or 30 degrees when the obstacle is short, since a shallower saddle uses less pipe and lifts the run less.
The calculator does the multiplier and the shrink math for you, so the marks line up with the obstruction the way you measured it.
What the saddle bend layout gives you
Enter the obstruction height and pipe size, and the tool returns the marks you need:
- Center mark set over the middle of the obstruction
- Two side marks spaced by the height times the multiplier
- Center bend angle, with 45 degrees as the common choice
- Side bend angles at half the center angle
- Shrink amount so the run lands where you planned
One app for every NEC calculation
WireGaugeCalc keeps the calculations you reach for most in one place:
- Voltage drop and wire sizing for any run
- Conduit fill for EMT, PVC, and RMC
- Box fill and junction box sizing
- Ampacity and temperature derating
- Motor circuit and load calculations
- Conduit bend offsets and saddles
Built for the field, works offline
The whole app runs on your phone, so it keeps working in a basement, an attic, or a job site with no signal.
There is no account to create and nothing to load. Open it, run the number, and get back to work.
- No signup and no signal needed
- Answers in a tap, not a spreadsheet
- Same tool on phone, tablet, and desktop
Every result cites the NEC article
Each answer shows the table or formula it came from, so you can check the method and learn the code as you go.
That makes the app useful on the job and during exam prep, since the reasoning is right next to the number.
Switch the code year your job runs on
Jurisdictions adopt the NEC at different times, so you can match the calculation to the code in force:
- NEC 2017, 2020, and 2023 tables
- Copper and aluminum conductors
- 60, 75, and 90 degree C terminations
- Single-phase and three-phase systems
Run the number, then get back to work
Stop flipping through a paper book or hopping between calculator sites. Enter your values, read the code-cited answer, and move on. Free to use, no signup.
Open the calculatorFrequently asked questions
What multiplier do I use for a three-bend saddle?
For a 45 degree center bend with 22.5 degree side bends, multiply the obstruction height by 2.5 to find the distance from the center mark to each side mark. The calculator applies this for you when you pick that angle set.
How much shrink does a saddle add?
A 45 degree center saddle shrinks the run by about 3/16 inch per inch of obstruction height, so the pipe ends move closer together as the saddle rises. Mark your center point first, then account for shrink toward the ends.
Does saddle bending follow a code rule?
Bend geometry is field layout, but the conduit run still has to meet the bend radius and the limit of 360 degrees of bends between pulling points. Verify those limits against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction.
Is WireGaugeCalc free to use?
Yes. Every calculator is free to run with no signup. A paid tier adds saved projects, PDF reports, and extra code years, but the core math stays free.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. The app runs on your device, so it keeps working with no signal on a job site, in a basement, or in an attic.
Are the results code accurate?
Results follow published NEC tables and standard formulas, and each answer shows the article it came from. It is a field aid, not a stamp of approval, so verify against the current code and your local authority before you wire anything.
Which NEC code year does it use?
You can switch between NEC 2017, 2020, and 2023, since jurisdictions adopt the code at different times. Pick the year your job runs on.