Bending Calculator
Kick 90 Calculator
Calculate both marks for a kick 90: the 90-degree stub mark and the kick mark, with kick travel, shrink per inch of kick, and an interactive SVG diagram. For 1/2" through 1-1/4" EMT.
Kick Multiplier and Shrink by Angle
A kick uses the same trigonometry as an offset, applied to a single bend. Kick travel (distance from the 90° mark to the kick mark) = kick height × multiplier, where the multiplier is 1 / sin(kick angle). Shrink = kick height × shrink per inch.
| Kick Angle | Multiplier | Shrink per Inch of Kick |
|---|---|---|
| 10° | 5.76 | 1/16" |
| 15° | 3.86 | 1/8" |
| 22.5° | 2.61 | 3/16" |
| 30° | 2.00 | 1/4" |
Kick Travel by Kick Height and Angle
Pre-computed kick travel (kick height / sin(angle)) for common kick heights. Add this distance to your 90° mark to find the kick mark.
| Kick Height | @ 10° | @ 15° | @ 22.5° | @ 30° |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 5.76" | 3.86" | 2.61" | 2" |
| 2" | 11.52" | 7.73" | 5.23" | 4" |
| 3" | 17.28" | 11.59" | 7.84" | 6" |
| 4" | 23.04" | 15.45" | 10.45" | 8" |
| 5" | 28.79" | 19.32" | 13.07" | 10" |
| 6" | 34.55" | 23.18" | 15.68" | 12" |
Worked Example: 12-Inch Stub with a 4-Inch Kick at 15 Degrees
Given: A 3/4" EMT run stubs up 12 inches out of a deck, then must kick 4 inches to the left to line up with a panel. You choose a 15-degree kick. The 3/4" bender take-up is 6 inches.
Step 1: The 90° mark. Mark = 12 − 6 = 6 inches from the end of the conduit.
Step 2: Kick travel. Travel = 4 / sin(15°) = 4 × 3.86 = 15.45 inches.
Step 3: The kick mark. Kick mark = 6 + 15.45 = 21.45 inches from the end of the conduit.
Step 4: Shrink. Shrink = 4 × 1/8" = 1/2 inch. The top of the vertical leg ends up 1/2 inch lower than the unbent stub would, so add it back to the stub height if the final elevation is critical.
Step 5: Bend in order. Bend the 15-degree kick first at the 21.45" mark, sight the plane, then flip the conduit and pull the 90 at the 6" mark.
Result: A 12-inch stub whose upper leg lands 4 inches left of the stub line, dead on the panel knockout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kick in conduit bending?
A kick is a single small-angle bend, usually 10 to 30 degrees, that pushes the conduit off its original line. A kick 90 combines a standard 90 degree stub with a kick above it, so the vertical leg angles over to line up with a box, panel, or rack that is not directly above the stub point. It is the most common advanced bend in commercial work.
How much shrink per inch of kick?
Shrink per inch of kick height depends on the kick angle: 1/16 inch at 10 degrees, 1/8 inch at 15 degrees, 3/16 inch at 22.5 degrees, and 1/4 inch at 30 degrees. Multiply the kick height by the constant for your angle. A 3-inch kick at 22.5 degrees shrinks the run 3 x 3/16 = 9/16 inch. At the shallow angles typically used for kicks, shrink is small but still worth accounting for on precise layouts.
How do I calculate the marks for a kick 90?
Treat the two bends independently. The 90 degree mark = stub height minus the bender take-up (5 inches for 1/2 inch EMT, 6 inches for 3/4 inch). The kick mark = 90 degree mark + kick travel, where kick travel = kick height / sin(kick angle). Example in 1/2 inch EMT: a 12-inch stub with a 3-inch kick at 22.5 degrees gives a 90 mark at 12 - 5 = 7 inches and a kick mark at 7 + 7.84 = 14.84 inches from the end.
Do I bend the kick or the 90 first?
Bend the kick first, then flip the conduit and make the 90. The kick is a small bend that still fits through the bender shoe easily; once the 90 is made, orienting the conduit to put a kick in the correct plane is awkward and error-prone. Make the kick, sight down the conduit to confirm the plane, then bend the 90 at the lower mark.
What angle should I use for a kick?
Use the smallest angle that clears the obstruction in the space you have. 10 and 15 degrees give the gentlest wire pull and the least shrink but need the most room: a 3-inch kick takes about 17 inches of travel at 10 degrees versus 6 inches at 30 degrees. 22.5 degrees is a common field choice because most bender heads have a dedicated 22.5 degree mark. Whatever you choose, the kick angle adds to the run's total degrees between pull points.
Does a kick count toward the NEC 360 degree limit?
Yes. NEC 358.26 counts every bend between pull points, in any direction. A kick 90 with a 22.5 degree kick uses 112.5 degrees of the 360 degree budget (90 + 22.5). A run with three kick 90s at 22.5 degrees would be at 337.5 degrees, leaving no room for even a small offset before a pull box is required.
More Bending References
Conduit Bending Calculator
All 7 bend types with interactive SVG diagrams and verified bender profiles.
Offset Multiplier Chart
Multipliers and shrink per inch for 10° through 60° offset bends.
90° Deduction Chart
Take-up, deduct, radius, and gain for 1/2" through 1-1/4" EMT.
Saddle Bend Calculator
3-point and 4-point saddle marks, spacing multipliers, and shrink.
Conduit Fill Calculator
Check NEC Chapter 9 fill compliance for any conduit and conductor combination.