Moa Calculator Card

Minutes of arc (MOA) is a unit of angular measurement commonly used in ballistics, astronomy, and precision optics. This calculator helps you convert between MOA and other angular units, understand how MOA relates to real-world measurements, and determine the angular size of objects.

What is MOA?

Minutes of arc (MOA) is a unit of angular measurement equal to one sixtieth of a degree. It's commonly used in ballistics to describe the angular separation between two points, typically when sighting a target.

In ballistics, MOA is often used to measure the point of impact (POI) relative to the point of aim (POA). For example, if a bullet hits 1 MOA low and 2 MOA to the right of the target, it means the bullet's point of impact was 1 minute of arc below and 2 minutes of arc to the right of the intended point.

1 degree = 60 minutes of arc (MOA)

1 MOA = 1/60 of a degree ≈ 0.0166667 degrees

How to Calculate MOA

Calculating MOA involves determining the angular separation between two points. The basic formula is:

MOA = (Distance to target / Distance to object) × 60

For example, if you're 100 meters away from a target and the target is 1 meter wide, the angular size in MOA would be:

MOA = (100 meters / 1 meter) × 60 = 6000 MOA

This means the target subtends an angle of 6000 minutes of arc at your eye level.

MOA Calculation Example

Let's calculate the MOA for a rifle scope with a 1 MOA click. If the scope is 100 yards away from the target and the target is 1 yard wide:

MOA = (100 yards / 1 yard) × 60 = 6000 MOA

This means each 1 MOA click on the scope corresponds to moving the bullet 1 yard at 100 yards distance.

MOA Conversion Table

Here's a table showing common MOA conversions to other angular units:

MOA	Degrees	Radians	Milliradians
1	0.0166667°	0.00029089	0.29089
10	0.1666667°	0.0029089	2.9089
30	0.5°	0.0087266	8.7266
60	1°	0.0174533	17.4533
360	6°	0.0628319	62.8319

FAQ

What is the difference between MOA and MIL?

MOA stands for minutes of arc, while MIL stands for mils. Both are units of angular measurement, but MOA is based on the degree (1 MOA = 1/60 of a degree), while MIL is based on the radian (1 MIL = 1/6000 of a radian).

How do I convert MOA to inches at a specific distance?

To convert MOA to inches at a specific distance, use the formula: Inches = (MOA × Distance) / 6400. For example, 1 MOA at 100 yards is (1 × 100) / 6400 ≈ 0.0156 inches.

What is a practical use of MOA in everyday life?

MOA is most commonly used in ballistics and precision optics. In everyday life, you might use MOA concepts when measuring the angular size of objects or understanding how much your eyes can distinguish between two points.