MOA Calculator (Minute of Angle)
Use this tool to calculate precision (group size to MOA), adjustment values (MOA and clicks), and expected spread size at distance.
1) Group Size → MOA
2) Offset → MOA + Clicks
Direction guide used here: positive vertical means impacts are above aim point; positive horizontal means impacts are right of aim point.
3) MOA → Spread at Distance
What is MOA?
MOA stands for Minute of Angle. It is an angular measurement, not a fixed linear distance. Because it is an angle, the linear size represented by 1 MOA grows as distance increases.
A practical shortcut many people use is: 1 MOA is about 1 inch at 100 yards. The more precise value is 1.047 inches at 100 yards. That precision becomes important as distance grows.
The core formulas for MOA calculations
1) Convert group size to MOA
MOA = Group Size (inches) / (Distance (yards) / 100 × 1.047)
Example: a 1.5-inch group at 100 yards is 1.5 / 1.047 = 1.43 MOA.
2) Convert offset to adjustment MOA
Required MOA = Offset (inches) / (Distance (yards) / 100 × 1.047)
If your impact is 2 inches high at 100 yards, required correction is 2 / 1.047 = 1.91 MOA downward.
3) Convert MOA to click count
Clicks = Required MOA / MOA per click
With a 0.25 MOA click value: 1.91 / 0.25 = 7.64 clicks, usually rounded to 8 clicks.
4) Convert MOA to expected spread size
Spread (inches) = MOA × 1.047 × Distance (yards)/100
If a setup averages 1 MOA, expected spread at 500 yards is 1 × 1.047 × 5 = 5.24 inches.
Quick reference table: linear size of 1 MOA
| Distance | 1 MOA (inches) | 1 MOA (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 yards | 1.047" | 2.66 cm |
| 200 yards | 2.094" | 5.32 cm |
| 300 yards | 3.141" | 7.98 cm |
| 500 yards | 5.235" | 13.30 cm |
| 800 yards | 8.376" | 21.28 cm |
| 1000 yards | 10.470" | 26.59 cm |
MOA vs. MRAD (MIL): what matters in practice?
MOA and MRAD are both angular systems. Neither is “more accurate”; they are simply different scales.
- MOA: common click value is 0.25 MOA.
- MRAD/MIL: common click value is 0.1 MIL.
- Use whichever matches your reticle and adjustment system to keep math straightforward.
Common mistakes in MOA calculations
- Using 1.000 instead of 1.047 for precision work at longer distances.
- Mixing units (yards with centimeters or meters with inches) without conversion.
- Ignoring sign direction (high vs. low, left vs. right).
- Over-rounding too early. Keep decimals until final click rounding.
- Assuming one group tells the full story. Use multiple groups and average results.
A simple process you can follow every time
- Measure center-to-center group size accurately.
- Record exact distance.
- Calculate MOA using the 1.047 factor.
- Convert any offset to MOA correction.
- Convert correction MOA to clicks.
- Apply, re-check, and refine with another group.
Final thoughts
MOA calculations are fundamentally simple once you stick to one repeatable formula set. The calculator above helps remove mental math errors and gives immediate feedback for precision tracking over time. If you log your group size, distance, and adjustments consistently, you'll build a much clearer picture of system performance and make better decisions faster.