Pipe Centerline Radius Calculator

Calculate pipe bend centerline radius from inside radius, outside radius, pipe diameter, arc length, bend angle or center-to-center geometry.

Calculation method

Calculated Results

Centerline radius
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Bend diameter
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Inside radius
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Outside radius
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Bend angle
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Centerline arc length
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Calculation Details

Enter the required bend dimensions.

Formula

From inside and outside radii: RCL = (Ri + Ro) / 2 From inside radius and pipe diameter: RCL = Ri + D / 2 From outside radius and pipe diameter: RCL = Ro − D / 2 From arc length and bend angle: RCL = L / θ where θ is in radians. From chord and bend angle: RCL = C / [2 × sin(θ / 2)] From chord and sagitta: RCL = C² / (8s) + s / 2 Bend diameter: DB = 2 × RCL Inside radius: Ri = RCL − D / 2 Outside radius: Ro = RCL + D / 2
For real pipe bending, the physical neutral axis may not exactly coincide with the simple geometric centerline because of material deformation, wall thickness, bending method and springback. Use the appropriate shop or engineering convention for production work.

Example

Inside bend radius
100 mm.
Outside bend radius
200 mm.
Centerline radius
(100 + 200) ÷ 2 = 150 mm.
Bend diameter
2 × 150 = 300 mm.
For a 90° bend
Centerline arc length = 150 × π/2 ≈ 235.62 mm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pipe centerline radius? It is the radius measured from the bend center to the pipe centerline through the curved section.

Why is centerline radius important? It is used to determine bend geometry, arc length, developed length and bend layout dimensions.

How do I calculate it from inside and outside radius? Average the two radii: (inside radius + outside radius) ÷ 2.

How do I calculate it from pipe diameter? If the inside radius is known, add half the pipe diameter. If the outside radius is known, subtract half the pipe diameter.

What is bend diameter? Bend diameter is twice the centerline radius.

Can I calculate centerline radius from arc length? Yes. Divide the centerline arc length by the bend angle in radians.

Can I calculate radius from chord and sagitta? Yes. The calculator uses R = C²/(8s) + s/2.

Does pipe wall thickness affect the answer? It can affect which reference radius should be used for fabrication. The simple geometric centerline calculation itself uses the specified diameter and radii.

Can this calculate a pipe bend radius from a drawing? Yes, if the drawing provides suitable dimensions such as chord and bend angle, chord and sagitta, or inside/outside bend radii.