Electrical

NEC Conduit Sizing Calculator

Calculate the right conduit trade size for any wire mix. Runs the NEC Chapter 9 and Annex C fill tables so you don't have to.

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Conduit

Fill mode

Standard NEC Chapter 9 Table 1 limits: 53% for one conductor, 31% for two, 40% for three or more. Use this for typical raceway runs.

Wire groups

EGC: 1 x 10 AWG Copper THHN/THWN

Calculations use NEC Chapter 9 Table 4 for conduit dimensions and Table 5 for conductor cross-sectional areas. Fill limits in Auto mode are 53% for one conductor, 31% for two, and 40% for three or more (NEC Chapter 9 Table 1). Nipple = 60% (Note 4). Seal-off = 25% (NEC 501.15(C)(1)).

Conduit fill

27.8

%

4 conductors in EMT 1/2"(auto)

NEC compliant

Comfortably within the 40% fill limit. Room for future conductors.

Total wire area0.084 sq in
Conduit internal area0.304 sq in
Conductors counted4
NEC max fill (3+ conductors, Table 1) 40%

Heads up: with more than 3 current-carrying conductors in a raceway, NEC 310.15(C)(1) ampacity adjustment may apply. Check separately.

About this calculator

NEC-compliant. Free to use. No watermarks.

Conduit sizing comes down to one rule: the cross-sectional area of all the conductors inside can't exceed the NEC's allowable fill percentage for that conduit. 40% for three or more conductors, 53% for one, 31% for two.

The math is simple. The lookup is the painful part. You're cross-referencing wire size, insulation type, and conductor count against multiple NEC tables for every job. This calculator does all of that for you, with EMT, IMC, RMC, ENT, LFNC, LFMC, and PVC schedules supported.

NEC references

  • NEC Chapter 9, Table 1: Conduit Fill Percentages
  • NEC Chapter 9, Table 4: Internal Dimensions of Conduits
  • NEC Chapter 9, Table 5: Cross-Sectional Areas of Conductors
  • NEC Annex C: Conduit and Tubing Fill Tables

The same calculations, running live as you design.

Solar Design Lab runs this calculator (and a dozen more) live as you build plansets. Stamping from $150 per planset.