Abstract High magnetic fields are desirable for discovering new particles in particle accelerators. Dipole magnets using superconductors have played a key role in creating the required field intensity and uniformity. In contrast, high temperature superconductor (HTS) dipole magnets have recently been spotlit because of their ability to generate higher magnetic fields compared to their low temperature superconductor counterpart. Similar needs have emerged in other fields using magnets, and no-insulation (NI) technology is considered a feasible option to reach high magnetic fields by overcoming the disadvantages of HTS magnets. However, research has rarely been carried out on the utilization of NI HTS magnet technology for dipole magnets in high-field accelerators. Here we show the design, fabrication, and test results of an NI HTS dipole magnet with numerical analysis results. This paper aims to investigate the effect of nonuniform current density and undesirable shape deformation on the magnetic field distribution of a saddle-shaped NI HTS dipole magnet. The magnet is designed and constructed considering the ‘constant perimeter winding’ technique and tested in liquid nitrogen. The field mapping process is also performed along a designated mapping trajectory to obtain the magnetic field distribution. A T-A formulation-based simulation model, named the ‘sequential simulation model,’ is suggested to reproduce the measurements and employed considering the current distribution and shape deformation. As a result of quantitative analysis of the transverse direction measurements, the magnetic field error decreased by 0.02 percent point (pp) when the nonuniform current density is considered. It decreased by 0.13 pp when the shape deformation is considered. Moreover, the critical current calculated through an additional numerical analysis shows an error of up to 10%. In conclusion, the saddle-shaped NI HTS dipole magnet can produce a sufficient magnetic field level for particle accelerator research, even though the field distribution shows a uniformity of 0.37% within this study.