How Many #12 THHN Fit in 1/2" EMT?

Maximum #12 THHN conductor count for 1/2" EMT at the NEC 2023 40% fill cap (3 or more conductors).

In a 1/2" EMT, the NEC 2023 ceiling is 9 #12 THHN conductors. The code permits 40% of the conduit's 0.3040 in² interior to be filled when three or more conductors share the raceway (NEC Chapter 9, Table 1), which leaves 0.1216 in² of usable area; each #12 THHN takes 0.0133 in², so 0.1216 ÷ 0.0133 rounds down to 9. This is a fill limit, not an ampacity rating: every current-carrying conductor counts toward the total — including a neutral that carries current — and once more than three current-carrying conductors share the conduit you must also apply the ampacity adjustment factors in NEC 310.15(C)(1). THHN, THWN-2 and XHHW-2 share the same Table 5 cross-section, so the count is identical; RHH and RHW-2 are larger and fit fewer. On long or multi-bend pulls, plan pulling tension and lubricant even when the fill math says the conductors fit.