Comparison

Pipe N Wire vs Electric Ref

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Pipe N Wire

This tool helps electricians quickly calculate the correct conduit size based on wire types, gauges, and desired fill percentages, adhering to NEC standards. It offers a streamlined interface for field use and planning, with options to save calculations and override recommendations.

Highlights
  • Conduit fill calculations
  • Supports all standard wire types
  • Smart conduit selector
  • Save and load calculations
  • Override recommendations
  • Remembers last setup
Features
Read full description

From the creator of iBend Pipe — trusted by pros for over a decade. PipeNWire is your fast, reliable, and NEC-compliant conduit fill calculator, rebuilt from the ground up for today’s electricians. Whether you’re in the field or planning ahead, PipeNWire makes it easy to determine the right conduit size based on your selected wires, pipe material, and desired fill percentage. Accurate. Intuitive. Built for the trade. FEATURES: • Conduit Fill Calculations Made Easy Choose your conduit material (EMT, IMC, etc.), select wire types and gauges, and pick your target fill percentage (e.g., 40%, 53%). PipeNWire instantly shows the smallest compliant conduit size based on NEC tables. • Supports All Standard Wire Types THHN, XHHW, RHH, and more—each with available gauges and accurate area values. We’ve preloaded everything you need. • Smart Conduit Selector Quickly scroll through available conduit sizes. PipeNWire centers on the first size that meets your fill criteria and lets you explore other options easily. • Save & Load Calculations Save your work with a custom name and reopen calculations later. • Override the Recommendation Need to upsize for future pull capacity or job specs? You’re in control—select any size and still see detailed fill data. • Remembers Your Last Setup PipeNWire remembers your most recent selections so you can pick up right where you left off. Why PipeNWire? • Built specifically for electricians by the developer of the widely-used iBend Pipe app • Lightning-fast interface with no fluff—just what you need • Code-aware logic based on National Electrical Code tables • Made for real-world use: at the job site, in the truck, or during planning Whether you’re sizing EMT for a quick pull or planning a complex wire run, PipeNWire takes the guesswork out of conduit sizing and helps you work with confidence. Download PipeNWire today and streamline your workflow with the conduit fill calculator made for pros.

About

Electric Ref

Features
Read full description

Type the amps, get the wire size. Pick a conduit, see how many conductors fit. Electric Ref answers the questions electricians ask every day — in three taps, fully offline. SIZE WIRES CORRECTLY - Amps to conductor size with temperature correction, conductor bundling adjustment and termination limits applied automatically - Copper and aluminum, 60/75/90°C insulation - Small-conductor breaker caps built in - Every answer shows WHY — the code articles and factors behind it CONDUIT & BOX FILL - Max conductors for EMT, RMC, IMC, PVC 40/80, ENT, FMC, LFMC and more - THHN, XHHW, TW/THW wire types - Box fill with device, clamp and ground allowances MORE FIELD TOOLS - Voltage drop (DC and AC methods, any power factor, conduit material) - Motor full-load current, conductor and breaker sizing - Equipment grounding and grounding electrode conductor sizes - Transformer currents, Ohm's law wheel REFERENCE CHARTS - Hole saw and knockout sizes (triple-checked) - NEMA plug and receptacle configurations - Motor starter sizes, wire color codes - Burial depths, conduit support spacing, wire properties BUILT FOR THE FIELD - 100% offline — works in basements, new construction, anywhere - Big glove-friendly controls, screen stays awake - No account. Your calculations never leave your phone. ONE-TIME PURCHASE The free version includes the Ohm's law wheel, daily wire sizing and core reference charts. Electric Ref Pro is a single one-time purchase that unlocks every calculator and chart. No subscription. No ads. No feature removals. Ever. Values are based on the National Electrical Code®. Reference only — always verify with your locally adopted code edition and AHJ. NEC is a registered trademark of the National Fire Protection Association, which does not endorse this app.

Screenshots

Pipe N Wire4 screens
Electric Ref4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Electric Ref at Free against Pipe N Wire's $1.99. Electric Ref also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 15 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). Pipe N Wire's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#198 vs unranked). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Electric Ref is free to download; Pipe N Wire costs $1.99 up front. Electric Ref sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pipe N Wire asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pipe N Wire ships an update every 15 months, Electric Ref every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Pipe N Wire versus Electric Ref: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPipe N WireElectric Ref
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating3.5 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews45.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#198 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFrancisco AlcalaGun woo Kim

In-app purchases

None

Pipe N Wire

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Electric Ref

One-time1
  • Electric Ref Pro$19.99

Questions

Is Pipe N Wire free?
Pipe N Wire costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Electric Ref free?
Electric Ref is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pipe N Wire or Electric Ref have ads?
Neither Pipe N Wire nor Electric Ref shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pipe N Wire or Electric Ref?
Pipe N Wire ships an update every 15 months, and Electric Ref every 10 days. Most recently, Pipe N Wire was updated on October 29, 2026 and Electric Ref on October 25, 2026.

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