---
title: "4-Point Saddle Calculator — Four Marks for Wide Obstructions | BendBoss"
description: "4-point saddle calculator for conduit: enter height, width and distance to the obstruction to get all four bend marks. Built as two offsets with the published multiplier and shrink values, with a worked example."
url: https://bendboss.app/4-point-saddle-calculator/
language: en
last_reviewed: 2026-11-14
---

[BendBoss](https://bendboss.app/) › 4-point saddle

# 4-point saddle calculator

A four-point saddle is two offsets back to back: up and over, flat across the top, and back down. Use it when the obstruction is too wide or tall for a three-point saddle. You need the height, the width and the distance to the near edge.

Last reviewed Nov 14, 2026 · Sources at the end of the page

_Interactive calculator on the web page: https://bendboss.app/4-point-saddle-calculator/_

Bends 1–2 are the first offset, bends 3–4 the second.

## The 4-point saddle formula

Distance between bends = height × multiplier  
Shrink per offset = height × shrink per inch  
Mark 2 = distance to near edge + shrink  
Mark 1 = Mark 2 − distance between bends  
Mark 3 = distance to near edge + width + shrink  
Mark 4 = Mark 3 + distance between bends

Each half is an ordinary offset laid out the way Greenlee, Klein and Gardner Bender describe: add the shrink when working toward the obstruction, then measure the distance between bends back toward the end. Because the first offset has already used up its shrink, everything past it — the width and the second offset — shifts by that same amount.

## Worked example: 4″ high, 12″ wide box, near edge 24″ away, 30° bends

  1. Distance between bends: 4 × 2.00 = **8″**. Shrink per offset: 4 × ¼″ = **1″**.
  2. Mark 2: 24″ + 1″ = **25″**. Mark 1: 25″ − 8″ = **17″**.
  3. Mark 3: 24″ + 12″ + 1″ = **37″**. Mark 4: 37″ + 8″ = **45″**.
  4. Total shrink of the run past the saddle: **2″**.

## Bending sequence

  1. Bend Mark 2 to 30°, roll 180°, bend Mark 1 to 30° — first offset done.
  2. Bend Mark 3 to 30° in the same plane, roll 180°, bend Mark 4 to 30° to bring the run back down.
  3. Sight down the conduit: all four bends must be in one plane, or the saddle will dog-leg.

## Angle choice for saddles

30° is the usual pick because the multiplier is exactly 2. On low obstructions a 22½° saddle pulls easier; on tall ones a 45° saddle saves space. Values for each angle are on the [multiplier and shrink chart](https://bendboss.app/offset-multiplier-chart/).

## Common questions

### What is a 4-point saddle?

Two offsets back to back: the conduit rises over an obstruction, runs flat across the top and drops back to its original line.

### How do you calculate a 4-point saddle?

Treat it as two offsets. Height × multiplier gives the distance between bends in each offset; height × shrink per inch gives the shrink, which you add when working toward the obstruction. The flat top equals the obstruction width.

### How much does a 4-point saddle shrink?

Twice the shrink of one offset of the same height and angle — at 30°, ½″ per inch of height in total.

### 4-point or 3-point saddle?

A 3-point saddle is faster for round pipes and small obstructions. A 4-point saddle suits wide or tall ones and keeps the wire pull easier.

## Sources

  * [Greenlee, Aluminum and Iron Site-Rite® Hand Benders Use Guide, 52034125 REV 02 (2023)](https://cdn.greenlee.com/resources/media?key=1adba548-f1d2-43d2-bf44-fe4b89a8b579&languageCode=en&type=document)
  * [Klein Tools, Conduit Bending Basics (Iron & Aluminum Benders)](https://data.kleintools.com/sites/all/product_assets/documents/instructions/klein/ConduitBenderGuide.pdf)
  * [nVent Gardner Bender, Hand Benders How-To Guide B-0040](https://file.ecmindustries.com/-/media/inriver/B-0040.pdf)

**Every bend on this site, in one app**

BendBoss does offsets, saddles, rolling offsets, stub-ups, kicks, parallel runs (mixed sizes), segmented and compound 90s — fraction keypad, bend diagrams and step-by-step walkthroughs. $25.00 once. No subscription, no ads. English and Spanish.

[Get BendBoss — $25.00 once](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/XJL85QN76KKT6)[See what's in the app](https://bendboss.app/conduit-bending-app/)

## Related bend guides

  * [3-point saddle](https://bendboss.app/3-point-saddle-calculator/)
  * [Offset calculator](https://bendboss.app/offset-calculator/)
  * [Offset multiplier & shrink chart](https://bendboss.app/offset-multiplier-chart/)
  * [Parallel offsets](https://bendboss.app/parallel-offset-calculator/)
  * [The BendBoss app](https://bendboss.app/conduit-bending-app/)