MOA (Minute of Angle)
Definition
1/60 of a degree of arc. Equal to approximately 2.908 cm (1.047 inches) at 100 m. Used in civilian and some law enforcement scope turret adjustments. Equivalent to 0.291 mil.
- 1 MOA at 100 yards
- Approximately 1.047 inches
- 1 MOA at 100 meters
- Approximately 2.908 centimeters
- MOA definition
- 1/60 of a degree of arc
- MOA to mil conversion
- Equivalent to 0.291 mil
Common questions
What does MOA stand for and what does 1 MOA measure?+
MOA stands for minute of angle. One MOA is 1/60 of a degree of arc. In practical rifle shooting terms, 1 MOA translates to about 1.047 inches at 100 yards, or about 2.908 centimeters at 100 meters. This gives shooters a consistent way to talk about accuracy and scope adjustments across different distances.
Why is MOA useful for firearms and optics?+
MOA is used to calibrate scope turret adjustments on rifles and to measure shot grouping consistency. Because the unit scales with distance, a shooter can predict how their groups will look at any range once they know their MOA performance. Both civilian shooters and some law enforcement agencies rely on MOA adjustments.
How does MOA relate to other ballistic measurements?+
MOA is equivalent to 0.291 mil (milliradian), another angular measurement used in ballistics. Some shooters and agencies prefer mils instead, but MOA remains the standard on most civilian rifle scopes.
Related terms
- 4DOF Model
- A four-degree-of-freedom ballistic model that adds aerodynamic pitch and yaw to the standard 2DOF (gravity + drag) model, accounting for spin drift...
- Accidental Discharge
- Unintended firing of a weapon without a deliberate trigger pull, usually caused by mechanical defect, sear wear, drop impact or unsafe handling.
- BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator)
- Elevation turret or reticle markings that encode the required elevation correction for a specific load at preset ranges. Allows rapid correction without...
- Choke (Shotgun)
- Constriction at the muzzle of a shotgun barrel that controls pellet spread. From most-open to most-tight: cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, full choke.
- Coriolis Effect
- Apparent deflection of a moving body due to the rotation of the Earth. In the Northern Hemisphere, deflects projectiles to the right...
- Eötvös Effect
- The vertical component of the Coriolis effect on a bullet. Increases impact elevation for eastward-fired shots, decreases it for westward-fired shots. Typically...
- Fire Control System (FCS)
- An integrated optic, rangefinder, and ballistic solver that computes and displays a real-time firing solution. Examples: TrackingPoint PGF, Elbit FALCON, Rafael MARS....
- Kinetic Energy
- KE = (1/2) m v squared, where m is projectile mass and v is velocity. Doubling velocity quadruples the kinetic energy delivered...
- Laser Rangefinder (LRF)
- A device that measures range by timing the return of a laser pulse from the target. Typical accuracy: plus or minus 1...
- Magnus Effect
- A force on a spinning body in a crosswind perpendicular to both the spin axis and the crosswind direction. Produces a vertical...
- Miliradian (Mil)
- 1/1000 of a radian. Equal to 10 cm at 100 m, 1 m at 1,000 m. Used as the angular unit in...
- Muzzle Velocity
- Speed of the projectile at the instant it leaves the barrel, expressed in metres per second (m/s) or feet per second (fps)....
Explained in these topics
- Long-Range Corrections: Coriolis, Spin Drift, Ranging Methods1/60 of a degree of arc. Equal to approximately 2.908 cm (1.047 inches) at 100 m. Used in civilian and some law enforcement scope turret adjustments. Equivalen...
- Velocity, Penetration, Dispersion, Ricochet and Accidental DischargeAngular accuracy measure for rifles. 1 MOA is approximately 1 inch group size at 100 yards (more precisely 1.047 inch).