Home 3-Point Saddle Calculator
45° center / 22.5° outer-bend layout
3-Point Saddle Calculator
Calculate the three marks for a standard 45° three-point conduit saddle using Greenlee's published field method: 2.5 × saddle height from the center mark and 3/16 inch of shrink per inch of height.
Published Greenlee method
Center bend: 45°. Outer bends: 22.5°. Outside marks: 2.5 × height from center mark. Shrink: 3/16 per inch of height.
The calculator updates automatically as soon as a valid saddle height is entered.
Three-point saddle layout
Greenlee 45° saddle field constants
| Saddle height | Move center mark A ahead by | Place B & C from A |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | 3/16" | 2-1/2" |
| 2" | 3/8" | 5" |
| 3" | 9/16" | 7-1/2" |
| 4" | 3/4" | 10" |
| 5" | 15/16" | 12-1/2" |
| 6" | 1-1/8" | 15" |
| Per unit | 3/16 shrink | 2.5 × height |
How the three marks are placed
- Measure to the center of the obstruction.
- Add the calculated shrink to locate Mark A, the saddle center mark.
- Measure 2.5 × saddle height in each direction from Mark A for Marks B and C.
- Greenlee's Site-Rite instructions align Mark A with the saddle notch and the two outer marks with the arrow, using a 45° center bend and 22.5° outer bends.
- Keep all three bends in the same plane and follow the bender manufacturer's sequence/springback procedure.
If you do not enter the obstruction-center distance, the calculator still gives the relative B/A/C spacing and total shrink.
Worked example: 2-inch saddle height, obstruction center at 24 inches
At 2 inches of saddle height, Greenlee's table gives 3/8 inch total shrink and 5 inches from Mark A to each outside mark. The center mark therefore lands at 24-3/8 inches from the reference end. Mark B is 19-3/8 inches and Mark C is 29-3/8 inches, assuming the same reference direction.
This is a layout reference, not a substitute for bender-specific springback, conduit material or jobsite verification.
Related conduit-bending tools
For a two-bend offset, use the Conduit Offset Calculator. For the multiplier/shrink table, see the Conduit Bending Chart. For model and shoe selection, use the Conduit Bender Guide or Greenlee 555 Shoe Finder.
Technical source
- Greenlee Site-Rite Hand Benders instructions, 52034125 Rev 02 — 45° saddle procedure, 2.5 × height outer-mark spacing and 3/16-inch shrink per inch of height; table states it applies to any size conduit.
3-Point Saddle Calculator FAQs
What is the standard Greenlee 3-point saddle layout used here?
The Greenlee Site-Rite hand-bender instructions use a 45-degree center bend with 22.5-degree outer bends. Marks B and C are placed 2.5 times the saddle height from center mark A.
How much shrink does a 45-degree three-point saddle use?
The Greenlee table used by this calculator lists 3/16 inch of shrink per inch of saddle height.
Does the 2.5 multiplier apply to any conduit size?
Greenlee labels its 45-degree saddle table as applying to any size conduit. Actual bending technique, springback and bender markings still depend on the conduit and bender.
Where is the center mark placed?
Greenlee instructs the user to measure the length to the obstruction center plus total shrink to establish center mark A, then place the two outside marks equally on either side of A.
Does this calculator replace the markings on my bender?
No. It provides the published field layout. Align the center mark with the saddle notch and outside marks with the appropriate bender reference according to the manufacturer instructions for your bender.