Mastering 90° & 45° Elbow Take-Off Formulas for Accurate Piping 📏

First, a definition of "take off": The length of pipe to be removed (taken off) such that a pipe and a fitting make a specific length. The term is a concept shorthand used by pipefitters and plumbers. This is not the same as a material takeoff, which is a list of all materials needed for a project.

Take-offs in general are specific to pipe construction (PVC, copper, etc.) and is a function of diameter and the function of a elbow is to change direction or flow in a piping system. By default, there are 5 opportunities, the 45°, 90° and 180° elbows, all three in the "long radius" version, and in addition the 90° and 180° elbows both in the "short radius" version.