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Conduit Fill Calculator

Pick a conductor, insulation type, count and raceway — get the minimum trade size under the NEC Chapter 9 fill rules, plus the fill percentage for every size from ½″ to 4″.

The fill rules

NEC Chapter 9, Table 1 caps conduit fill at 53% for one conductor, 31% for two, and 40% for three or more. The limits exist for heat dissipation and to make pulling physically possible — a 40% fill is already a firm pull on a long run with bends. Conductor areas are THHN/THWN-2 and XHHW-2 from Chapter 9 Table 5; raceway areas are from Chapter 9 Table 4 for EMT, PVC Schedule 40 and rigid metal conduit (RMC).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this include the equipment grounding conductor?

Count every conductor occupying the raceway, including grounds — fill is about physical space, not current.

Does raceway type change the answer?

Slightly — internal areas differ by type. PVC Schedule 40 is a touch smaller than EMT at most trade sizes and RMC a touch larger, which is occasionally the difference at a size boundary. Pick your type in the selector.

Built & maintained by Murugan Vellaichamy · Every calculation verified against NEC Chapter 9 Table 8 & Table 310.16 published values · Informational reference — not engineering advice