What Is MOA? Minute of Angle Explained Simply
May 13, 2026 · AmmoBin.com
MOA comes up constantly in scopes, accuracy claims, and sight-in. It sounds technical but it's simple once you know the rule of thumb.
The simple rule
A minute of angle is 1/60th of a degree. The practical shooter's rule: 1 MOA ≈ 1 inch at 100 yards. So 1 MOA is ~2 inches at 200 yards, ~3 inches at 300, and so on — it grows with distance.
Using MOA
Scope adjustments are often 1/4 MOA per click — so at 100 yards each click moves impact ~1/4 inch. A '1 MOA rifle' groups about 1 inch at 100 yards. It's how you describe accuracy and dial corrections consistently at any range.
Tighter groups depend on the rifle, the shooter, and the ammo — see match-grade ammo. Precision calibers like 6.5 Creedmoor are popular for MOA-level shooting.
Frequently asked questions
What does 1 MOA mean?
One minute of angle ≈ 1 inch at 100 yards (and grows with distance — ~2 inches at 200, etc.). A '1 MOA rifle' groups about an inch at 100 yards.
How much does a 1/4 MOA click move impact?
About 1/4 inch at 100 yards, 1/2 inch at 200, and so on — the adjustment scales with distance.
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