Trellis Planner

This trellis planner helps you design and assemble a garden trellis made from 3/4" EMT conduit.

Choose your trellis style and dimensions below. Your drawing and material plan will update as you make changes.

Trellis Preview

Trellis Inputs

1. Select the shape of the trellis

Not sure which shape to choose? See the trellis shape guide.
2. What length EMT will be purchased from the store?
10 ft is the typical length sold at stores, but 5 ft lengths may be able to be purchased or cut at the store.
ft
This measurement is the distance between the bottoms of the legs.
ft
in
For an A-frame, this is the actual length of each angled EMT leg.
ft
in
The length of the trellis is typically equal to the length of the garden bed.
ft
in
Legs will be evenly spaced and will not exceed this distance.
ft
in
This is the minimum length of an EMT segment used when splicing the top rail. Shorter leftovers will not be used.
ft
in

Shopping List

Item Qty Notes Purchase Links
Estimated Price Range —

This is only an estimate. Actual cost will depend on purchase locations and product options.

Some purchase links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.

Check out our Parts and Accessories pages for items to attach to the EMT trellis frame.

Tool List

Tool Notes Purchase Links

Some purchase links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.

Check out our Guides and Parts pages for other tools and how to use them.

Cut List

See the Notes section below for the rules and priorities used to create this cut list.

EMT Stick Cuts Leftover

Cut Diagrams

EMT Stick Diagram

Build Instructions

    Notes

    There are many ways to create a cut list depending on the size of the leftovers and number of couplings used. This list shows one way to build the trellis. It uses the following rules and priorities:

    1. Minimize the total number of EMT sticks purchased.
    2. Reuse available offcuts wherever possible.
    3. Width crossbars are not spliced. Legs are spliced with EMT couplings when the entered leg length is longer than the selected EMT stock length.
    4. Longitudinal top rails may be made from multiple pieces connected with EMT couplings.
    5. Top-rail segments used for splicing must be at least 3 ft 6 in long.
    6. No more than one top-rail splice (EMT coupling) is allowed between adjacent leg stations.
    7. When multiple layouts use the same number of EMT sticks, prefer the layout with fewer couplings.
    8. If coupling counts are the same, prefer the layout with less leftover material.
    9. If waste is also the same, prefer the layout requiring fewer cuts.
    10. When otherwise equal, prefer using full, uncut EMT pieces.

    Important: This trellis builder is for general planning purposes only. Verify all dimensions, materials, fittings, and installation methods before building. You are responsible for determining whether the finished trellis is safe and suitable for your site and intended use.