Skip to content

Cable Sag Calculator

Result

Sag at Midspan1.250 ft
Cable Length100.042 ft
Maximum Tension (at support)500.6 lbs
↗ Construction

Cable Sag Calculator Calculate the sag of a cable or wire rope under its own weight using parabolic approximation. — free online calculator.

Formula

Sag = w × L² / (8H); Cable length ≈ L + 8s²/(3L); Max tension = √(H² + (wL/2)²)
  • Cable Sag Calculator calculates its result from Width, Height, Length, S, Wl. It uses the formula Sag = w × L² / (8H); Cable length ≈ L + 8s²/(3L); Max tension = √(H² + (wL/2)²). Change any input to recalculate the result instantly.
  • The main inputs are Horizontal Span, Cable Weight per Foot, Horizontal Tension. Enter them in the units and format shown in the calculator.
  • Keep measurements and project assumptions consistent before comparing or combining values.
  • Changing any input above recalculates the result with the same calculation engine used by this page.

Example: Cable Sag

Inputs
  • Horizontal Span: 100
  • Cable Weight per Foot: 0.5
  • Horizontal Tension: 500

Using Width = 2, Height = 3, Length = 4, S = 5, Wl = 6, the calculated result is 4.2426406871.

Sample result: Calculating…

Frequently asked questions

What does the Cable Sag calculate?

Cable Sag Calculator Calculate the sag of a cable or wire rope under its own weight using parabolic approximation. — free online calculator.

Which values should I enter?

Enter Horizontal Span, Cable Weight per Foot, Horizontal Tension using the units and format shown beside each field.

What formula does this calculator use?

The calculator uses the following relationship: Sag = w × L² / (8H); Cable length ≈ L + 8s²/(3L); Max tension = √(H² + (wL/2)²).

Why might my result differ from another source?

Results can differ when another source uses different units, rounding rules, conventions or assumptions. Compare the inputs and definitions before comparing results.

Does the result update automatically?

Yes. Changing an input updates the result using the same calculation engine shown on this page.

Page information

Updated: October 10, 2026