Kick bend shrink worksheet

Kick Bend Shrink Calculator

Estimate the shrink adjustment for a conduit kick bend so the finished stub stays aligned with the intended entry.

Calculate Kick Bend Shrink

Enter kick distance and bend angle to estimate the shrink adjustment for a conduit kick bend.

Result

Shrink per inch

0.1875 in/in

Shrink

0.563 in

Layout adjustment to compensate for kick-bend shrink.

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.

Formula and field context

Estimate the shrink adjustment for a conduit kick bend so the finished stub stays aligned with the intended entry.

Formula context

Kick Bend Multiplier Chart

A kick bend moves a stub-up toward a box, wall, rack, or equipment entry without building a full offset. The calculator result depends on stub height, kick distance, conduit size, bender take-up, and whether trig mode or field multiplier mode was used. Record the method, angle, mark-from-end, take-up value, and fit check before bending.

Formula

Trigonometric kick angle = atan(kick distance / effective height). Field spacing = kick distance x multiplier.

Variables to keep with the result

  • Stub height is the planned vertical section before the kick is added.
  • Kick distance is the horizontal move from the wall, box, or equipment reference to the conduit centerline.
  • Effective height subtracts the selected bender take-up from the stub height.
  • Multiplier spacing is used when the calculator is run in field multiplier mode instead of trig angle mode.

Formula and variables

Kick-bend shrink is the layout adjustment used when the angled kick changes the finished stub position. This worksheet uses common field factors: 10 degrees = 1/16 in per inch of kick, 22.5 degrees = 3/16 in per inch, and 30 degrees = 1/4 in per inch. The formula is shrink = kick distance x shrink factor. Kick distance is the horizontal move needed at the stub or entry point.

Field example

For a 3 in kick at 22.5 degrees, shrink = 3 x 3/16 = 0.5625 in. For a 5 in kick at 30 degrees, shrink = 5 x 1/4 = 1.25 in. Record the shrink separately from the multiplier spacing because one value corrects the finished length while the other sets the distance between layout marks.

Assumptions and layout limits

This tool isolates shrink for a kick bend. It does not include 90 degree stub deduct, exact shoe radius, conduit trade size, mechanical bender settings, developed length, or enclosure-entry tolerances. When the run must land precisely in a cabinet or piece of equipment, compare this shrink value with the full kick bend calculator result and the actual bender marks.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include treating shrink as mark spacing, applying a shrink factor from a different bend angle, forgetting that the stub has its own take-up, and adjusting the layout in the wrong direction. Write the kick distance, selected angle, shrink factor, and shrink adjustment with the bend note before cutting or bending conduit.

Common Questions

What is shrink on a kick bend?
Shrink is the layout adjustment caused by the angled kick changing the finished stub position compared with the straight layout.
What is the shrink factor for a 30 degree kick bend?
A common field factor for a 30 degree kick bend is 1/4 in of shrink for each inch of kick distance.
Does this calculate the kick angle?
No. It estimates shrink for a selected angle. Use the full kick bend calculator when the angle, take-up, and stub geometry must be solved together.