Conduit layout tool
3 Point Saddle Bend Calculator
Lay out a peaked 3-point conduit saddle over a narrow obstacle using height, bend angle, and distance to obstacle center.
Calculate a 3 Point Saddle Bend
Calculate the center mark, outer marks, bend spacing, and estimated shrinkage for a 3-point conduit saddle; for example, 2 in rise at 45 degrees with center at 24 in gives marks at 21.17, 24.00, and 26.83 in.
Calculator Inputs
Calculation Results
Enter values above to see calculation results
Result notes
Keep the entered values, assumptions, and result together when adding this calculation to job notes or submittal records. Final installation choices should align with the applicable code edition, equipment listing, manufacturer instructions, local amendments, and AHJ requirements.
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Related charts
Saddle Bend Layout Chart
Use this 3 point saddle bend chart: 2 in obstruction at 45 deg marks 2.83 in each side; compare 4-point layout for wide trays.
Offset Bend Multiplier Chart
Use offset multiplier chart: 15 deg = 3.9, 22.5 deg = 2.6, 30 deg = 2.0 and 45 deg = 1.414; a 4 in offset at 30 deg marks 8 in.
Conduit Shrink Chart
Use a conduit shrink chart to compare bend angle, offset height, true offset, shrink per inch, and layout allowance after a calculator result.
Related guides
Conduit Fill Table | 3/4 EMT #12, #10 and #6
Use this conduit fill table: 3/4 EMT fits 16 #12, 10 #10, 5 #8, or 4 #6 THHN at 40%; compare EMT, RMC and PVC sizes.
Conduit Fill Guide | 4 #6 THHN = 38.1%
Use conduit fill calculator example: 4 #6 THHN in 3/4 EMT uses 38.1%; compare NEC 40% fill, conductor count and ampacity derating.
Formula and field context
Lay out a peaked 3-point conduit saddle over a narrow obstacle using height, bend angle, and distance to obstacle center.
Formula context
Saddle Bend Layout Chart
The 3-point saddle bend formula is outside spacing = obstruction height x multiplier: a 2 in obstruction at 45 deg uses 2 x 1.414 = 2.83 in on each side of the center mark. A 4-point saddle uses two matching offsets with a flat section over the obstruction width. Use this chart to keep centerline, edge clearance, shrink, and bend sequence tied to the calculator result before transferring marks to conduit.
Formula
3-point outside spacing = obstruction height x multiplier. 4-point layout = clear width plus matching offset spacing on each side.Variables to keep with the result
- Obstruction height is the vertical clearance needed above the obstruction.
- Obstruction center is the measured reference used for a 3-point center mark.
- Obstruction width plus side clearance sets the flat section for a 4-point saddle.
- Shrink allowance is added back when the finished conduit endpoint must land on a fixed reference.
Use for narrow obstacles
A 3-point saddle is commonly used when the obstruction is narrow enough for one center bend and two outer bends to clear it. A 2 in rise at 45 degrees places the outside marks 2.83 in from the center mark.
Confirm the bend sequence
Mark carefully, keep orientation consistent, and verify that the center bend and outer bends are made in the correct directions.