MOA and MIL—what do they really mean?
If you're new to long-range shooting, you'll quickly hear people talking about MOA and MIL. These are angular units used to measure and adjust for bullet drop and wind. Sounds simple enough—until you're standing behind your scope trying to remember if one click equals one inch or one centimeter at 100 yards. Don’t worry. This guide breaks it all down in plain language so you can focus on hitting targets, not doing math.
What is MOA?
MOA stands for Minute of Angle. It's an angular measurement where one MOA equals 1/60th of one degree. At 100 yards, one MOA spreads about 1.047 inches. Most shooters simplify this to 1 inch at 100 yards, 2 inches at 200, 3 inches at 300, and so on.
MOA is very common in the U.S., especially among hunters and recreational shooters. Many factory riflescopes come with MOA adjustments. You’ll often see scopes labeled with “¼ MOA clicks,” meaning each click moves your point of impact by about 0.25 inches at 100 yards.
Quick reference:
- 1 MOA ≈ 1.047" at 100 yards
- ¼ MOA per click = 4 clicks to move 1 inch at 100 yards
- MOA scales with distance (2.094" at 200 yards, etc.)
What is MIL?
MIL stands for milliradian, another angular measurement. One MIL equals 1/1000th of the radius of a circle. At 100 yards, one MIL is approximately 3.6 inches. Most MIL-based scopes adjust in 0.1 MIL clicks, so one click moves your shot by about 0.36 inches at 100 yards.
MIL is more common in tactical and military environments. It’s also popular among PRS competitors and long-range shooters who prefer a metric-based system. While it may seem less intuitive to some, many find MILs easier to work with once they understand the scale.
Quick reference:
- 1 MIL ≈ 3.6" at 100 yards
- 0.1 MIL per click = 10 clicks to move 1 MIL
- MIL scales with distance (7.2" at 200 yards, etc.)
How MOA and MIL compare
Both systems do the same thing—they help you make precise adjustments for elevation and wind. The difference is in the size of the units and how they're labeled. MOA is finer (smaller adjustments), while MIL is more coarse but easier to divide mentally for many shooters.
FeatureMOAMILUnit size1 MOA ≈ 1.047" at 100 yards1 MIL ≈ 3.6" at 100 yardsTypical adjustment¼ MOA (0.26") per click0.1 MIL (0.36") per clickBest forHunters, precision benchrestPRS, tactical, ELR shootersPopular reticlesMOA hashmarks or dotsMIL-dot, Christmas tree, grid
Reticles and turrets: keep them consistent
One of the most important tips for beginners—make sure your turrets and reticle match. If your scope has MOA adjustments, your reticle should also be in MOA. Same goes for MIL. Mixing the two creates confusion when holding over or spotting for someone else.
This is called having a “matched system” and it makes your shooting more intuitive. You can hold and dial using the same unit without needing to convert or second-guess your math.
How to choose: MOA or MIL?
If you're just starting out, either system can work. Don’t worry about which is "better"—worry about what’s easier for you to understand and apply.
Choose MOA if:
- You’re already familiar with inches and yards
- You’re a hunter or recreational shooter with MOA gear
- You want smaller adjustment increments (1/4" at 100 yards)
Choose MIL if:
- You prefer a metric-based system
- You plan to shoot tactical matches or ELR
- You like cleaner math for elevation and wind holds
There’s no wrong choice here. What matters is consistency. Pick one, stick with it, and learn it well. That’s how you get better.
Using your reticle for range estimation
Both MOA and MIL reticles allow you to estimate range if you know the target size. Here's a simplified example using a MIL scope:
Formula: (Target size in yards × 1,000) ÷ MILs read = Distance in yards
If a target is 1 yard tall and it measures 2 MILs in your scope, the target is about 500 yards away. MOA has a similar formula but uses different constants. Most shooters today use laser rangefinders, but it’s still valuable to understand this method for backup or practice.
Wind holds and holdovers
When the wind picks up or your distance changes quickly, many shooters use their reticle to “hold” rather than dial. Reticles with hash marks in MOA or MIL allow you to make these adjustments on the fly. A 5 MPH wind might require a 0.5 MIL hold at 500 yards, for example. With practice, you’ll learn how your rifle reacts in different conditions and how to use your reticle to compensate.
Final tips for mastering MOA or MIL
- Practice using your reticle to measure targets and hold for wind
- Watch tutorials or attend a course focused on your system
- Log all your adjustments in a data book or app
- Shoot with a spotter who uses the same unit system
- Stick with one system to build instinct and speed
You don’t need to be a math expert
Plenty of long-range shooters use MOA or MIL every day without memorizing all the formulas. These systems become second nature with practice. Use tools like ballistic calculators, cheat sheets, and range cards to help you stay consistent.
Whether you go with MOA or MIL, the key is confidence. Learn your system, use it often, and don’t worry about which one someone else prefers. On the range, results speak louder than units.
