3-Point Saddle Bend
45° Center Saddle Bend
Everything for a 45 degree 3-point saddle: the center-to-outer multiplier, the shrink, a worked example, and the calculator, all from the same math your bender uses.
The 45° Saddle Numbers
| Center bend / outer bends | 45° / 22.5° |
| Center-to-outer multiplier (applied / exact 1/sin) | 2.5 / 2.61 |
| Shrink per inch of depth | 3/16″ (0.1875″) |
| 3″ saddle: center to each outer mark | 7.5″ |
| 3″ saddle: shrink to shift the center | 0.56″ |
Distance from center to each outer mark = saddle depth × 2.5, which is what the calculator applies (the value printed in the Greenlee IM 1071, Greenlee SITE-RITE, Gardner Bender 960-Series and Klein Zip Guide saddle tables (2-1/2" per inch of depth); exact 1/sin(22.5°) is 2.61). Shrink = depth × 3/16″. Center bend 45 degrees, both outer bends 22.5 degrees.
Bender saddle tables print 2.5 per inch of depth for a 45° center, which this calculator uses. Exact 1/sin(22.5°) is 2.61, 4.5% above it; the table is that value rounded for a tape measure, so the marks at that spacing lay out a peak 4.3% lower than the depth you asked for, before the bend radius rounds the top, which is the rounding the trade accepts. The calculator and its 3D show the centerline peak those marks reach once the center arc at the NEC Chapter 9, Table 2 radius is counted, which sits below the depth you enter on every saddle: 2.54″ for the 3″ example in 1/2″ EMT, so enter about 3.48″ there for a 3″ peak. The calculator prints the depth to enter for the peak you need.
Calculate Your 45° Saddle
The calculator opens in 3-point saddle mode on the worked example, 3″ entered at a 45° center (the peak that depth reaches is given above). Enter your own saddle depth for the exact mark spacing and shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the multiplier for a 45 degree saddle?
The center-to-outer multiplier for a 45 degree 3-point saddle is 2.5, which is what this calculator applies (the value printed in the Greenlee IM 1071, Greenlee SITE-RITE, Gardner Bender 960-Series and Klein Zip Guide saddle tables (2-1/2" per inch of depth); exact 1/sin(22.5°) is 2.61). The center bend is the full 45 degrees and the two outer bends are half that, 22.5 degrees. Multiply the saddle depth by the multiplier to get the distance from the center mark to each outer mark. For a 3 inch saddle that is 3 x 2.5 = 7.5 inches.
How much does a 45 degree saddle shrink?
A 45 degree saddle shrinks 3/16 inch for every inch of saddle depth. A 3 inch saddle shrinks about 0.56 inches, so shift the center mark toward the free end by that amount before bending so the saddle lands centered over the obstruction.
How do you bend a 45 degree 3-point saddle?
Find the center of the obstruction and mark it on the conduit, then shift that mark 0.56 inches (the shrink for a 3 inch saddle) toward the free end. Bend the center mark to the full 45 degrees. Measure 7.5 inches (for a 3 inch saddle) to each side of the center and mark the outer bends. Rotate the conduit 180 degrees and bend each outer mark to 22.5 degrees. The three bends lift the conduit up and back down over the obstruction.
When should I use a 45 degree saddle?
The 45 degree saddle is the everyday choice and the one most electricians memorize (saddle-table multiplier 2.5). The center bends 45 degrees with 22.5 degree outer bends, balancing a close mark spacing against an easy wire pull. Use it for most pipes and small obstructions.
Other Saddle Angles
30° Center Saddle
Multiplier 3.8637, shrink 0.1317″ per inch, 15° outer bends.
60° Center Saddle
Multiplier 2.0, shrink 1/4″ per inch, 30° outer bends.
22.5° Center Saddle
Multiplier 5.1258, shrink 0.0985″ per inch, 11.25° outer bends.
Saddle Calculator + All Angles
3-point and 4-point saddle marks, multipliers, and shrink with the calculator.