BAR BENDING SCHEDULE — IS 2502

Free BBS calculator — cutting length & steel weight to Indian Standard IS 2502

Project Details

Select Shape Code

Code 00
Shape codes 01–32 are a custom sequential numbering (not official IS 2502 clause numbers) matched to the reference photos supplied. Most use standard IS 2502 bend-deduction maths (90° = 2d, 45° = 1d, 135° = 3d, standard hook = 9d, seismic hook = 12d). A few compound/unusual shapes are marked "approximate" in their description — check the diagram against your drawing and adjust the entered dimensions or final cutting length manually for those.
All other shapes are Shape Code 99 and require fully dimensioned sketches.
L = A CODE 00
Schematic diagram generated for this shape code. Not to scale for tolerancing.

Enter Bar Details

IS 2502:1963
IS 2502 · SHAPE 01 LENGTH EQUATION
L = A
Cutting length, L 0 mm
0.222 kg/m (nominal mass, d²/162)
0.00 kg, this line total

Bar Bending Schedule

Rows are grouped by Description, matching a standard printed BBS (toggle this in Schedule settings). Tip: open the exported .xlsx directly in Google Sheets via File → Import → Upload, or in Excel.
MarkTypeSizeNo. of setsNo. per setTotal no.Length (mm)Bar shapeWeight (kg)ABCDEFRq
No bars added yet — fill in the form above and click "Add to schedule".

Symbols

Used throughout this calculator
dNominal size (diameter) of the bar
DVertical crank depth of a bent-up bar (shape code 07)
A, B, C, E, FStraight leg lengths of the shape, as shown in its diagram
Bend deduction1d (45°), 2d (90°), 3d (135°) — subtracted per bend (see Bend & Hook Allowances below)
Hook allowance9d for a standard 180° hook (IS 2502); 12d for a 135° seismic hook (IS 13920) — added per hook

Bend Deductions & Hook Allowances

IS 2502:1963 conventions
Bend deductions (1d/2d/3d per bend) are subtracted from the sum of the straight leg lengths to get the true centreline cutting length. Hook allowances (9d standard, 12d seismic) are added per hook, rounded to the nearest 5 mm with a minimum of 75 mm. Unit weights (kg/m) use the d²/162 formula. All dimensions in mm.

Cranked / Bent-up Bar — Additional Length by Angle

Geometry reference
Crank angle, θMultiplier × D (crank depth)Formula
30°0.268D/sin30° − D/tan30°
45°0.414D/sin45° − D/tan45°
60°0.577D/sin60° − D/tan60°
When a bar is bent up within the depth of a slab or beam (a "cranked" or bent-up bar), the inclined portion is longer than the vertical rise D — this is the extra length added per crank, once at each end. The calculator's "Cranked Bar (45°)" shape (code 07) uses the 45° multiplier by default; other angles can be computed with this table and entered as a custom straight-bar adjustment.

Standard Bar Weight Reference

Per metre & per 12 m length
Bar size (mm)Mass per metre (kg/m)Mass per 12 m length (kg)
Standard TMT stock length in India is typically 12 m. Values use the d²/162 formula, consistent with IS 1786 / SP 34 tabulated weights.

Standard Bar Lengths, Laps & Assumptions

Reference — not part of IS 2502

Standard stock bar length

Reinforcing bar is most commonly stocked and supplied in 12 m straight lengths, with 6 m and other lengths (up to ~15 m) available to special order from some suppliers. This calculator schedules the cutting length of each bar mark only — it does not automatically split long bars against a stock length or optimise offcuts, so check the total cutting length of any mark against your supplier's available stock length before ordering.

Lap length quick reference

Lap and anchorage lengths are a structural design matter — governed by IS 456:2000 and the project specification — and fall outside the scope of IS 2502, which covers bar shape and bending only. This calculator does not add lap length automatically. The indicative laps below are commonly cited multiples of bar diameter (d) for tension and compression splices in normal-weight concrete, and are starting points for take-off only — the project structural drawings give the binding values.
Bar sizeTension lap
Fe415, 50d
Tension lap
Fe500/Fe500D, 60d
Compression lap
40d
Bond & grade dependence. Actual lap length per IS 456 depends on the grade of concrete, the percentage of bars lapped at one section, bar spacing/cover, and whether the splice is in tension or compression — the 50d/60d/40d multiples above are commonly used rules of thumb, not a substitute for a design check. Always take the binding value from the project's structural drawings.

Assumptions & notes

  • Cutting lengths use the shape-code formulas above (IS 2502:1963 conventions) and do not include any allowance for laps — add extra length yourself if a mark needs to include a splice.
  • Bend deductions and hook allowances assume standard, non‑seismic detailing (IS 2502) unless the 135° seismic hook shape (IS 13920) is selected.
  • Unit weights are nominal mass per metre (d²/162, consistent with IS 1786 / SP 34); actual delivered bar weight can vary within normal manufacturing tolerance.
  • No deduction for concrete cover is made automatically — enter dimensions A–F already net of cover if that's how your drawing is dimensioned.
  • No cutting wastage/offcut allowance is added automatically — apply your own project wastage percentage for procurement quantities.
  • This tool assists with scheduling only. Always check the finished schedule against approved structural drawings before fabrication.

Sources & References

Standards consulted
The formulas, allowances and values used by this calculator follow common Indian bar-bending-schedule practice as described in the following standards and references. This tool reproduces no part of these documents; it applies their conventions. Consult the source documents for the authoritative text, and note that IS 2502:1963 is an older standard originally written for plain mild-steel bars — modern practice cross-checks its bend/hook conventions against IS 1786 and IS 13920 where relevant.
  • IS 2502:1963Code of practice for bending and fixing of bars for concrete reinforcement. Bureau of Indian Standards. Source of the standard shape catalogue, bend-deduction conventions (1d/2d/3d for 45°/90°/135° bends) and the standard 180° hook allowance (9d).
  • IS 1786:2008High strength deformed steel bars and wires for concrete reinforcement — Specification. Source of the Fe415/Fe500/Fe500D/Fe550 steel grades and the tabulated nominal mass-per-metre values (d²/162) used for weight calculation.
  • IS 456:2000Plain and reinforced concrete — Code of practice. Source of the lap length and anchorage principles referenced in the lap length quick reference. Lap lengths are a design matter and are not calculated by this tool.
  • IS 13920:2016Ductile design and detailing of reinforced concrete structures subjected to seismic forces — Code of practice. Source of the 135° seismic hook convention (12d) used by the seismic stirrup shape.
  • SP 34:1987Handbook on concrete reinforcement and detailing. Bureau of Indian Standards. Widely used alongside IS 2502 for practical BBS conventions and worked examples.
Disclaimer. This calculator is an aid to scheduling and take-off. It is not a design tool, and it is not a substitute for a checked, engineer-approved bending schedule. Values produced here must be verified against the approved structural drawings and project specification before any steel is cut, bent or ordered. Where this tool and a project document disagree, the project document governs. Standards are periodically revised — confirm you are working to the edition current for your project.