MOA and MIL are both angular units. One MOA covers about 1.047 inches at 100 yards; one MIL covers 3.6 inches at 100 yards, so a 0.1 MIL click equals about 0.36 inch. Neither is more accurate. Choose the one you and your shooting partners use, and match your reticle units to your turret units.
- 1 MOA is about 1.05 inches at 100 yards; 1 MIL is 3.6 inches at 100 yards.
- Most MOA scopes click in 1/4 MOA; most MIL scopes click in 0.1 MIL.
- Matching reticle and turret units lets you hold and dial with the same numbers.
- Inches-per-MOA scale with distance: double the range, double the inches.
What the units actually measure
A scope adjusts the angle between your line of sight and the bore. MOA, or minute of angle, is 1/60 of a degree. MIL, short for milliradian, is 1/1000 of a radian. Because both are angles, the distance they cover on target grows as the target gets further away.
The numbers at real distances
| Distance | 1 MOA | 1 MIL | 1/4 MOA click | 0.1 MIL click |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 yd | 0.52 in | 1.8 in | 0.13 in | 0.18 in |
| 100 yd | 1.05 in | 3.6 in | 0.26 in | 0.36 in |
| 200 yd | 2.09 in | 7.2 in | 0.52 in | 0.72 in |
| 300 yd | 3.14 in | 10.8 in | 0.79 in | 1.08 in |
Many shooters round 1 MOA to 1 inch at 100 yards. That shortcut is close enough for zeroing, but at long range the 5 percent difference adds up.
Reading your turrets
Check the turret cap: it will say something like "1 click = 1/4 MOA" or "0.1 MRAD". Count how far one full turn moves the impact, and know whether your scope has a zero stop or locking turrets so you can return to your zero quickly.
Field tipBefore a hunt, write your holdovers or dial values for common distances on a small card taped to the stock.
Match the reticle to the turrets
A reticle with MOA hash marks pairs with MOA turrets, and a MIL reticle with MIL turrets. When they match, you can measure a miss in the reticle and dial exactly that amount. Mixing units forces a conversion in your head at the worst moment.
On second focal plane scopes, reticle marks only measure true values at one magnification, usually the highest. Check your manual for the reference power.
Which should you choose?
- Choose MOA if you think in inches and yards, shoot mostly inside 300 yards, or already own MOA gear.
- Choose MIL if you shoot in meters, shoot long range with a group that calls corrections in MILs, or want simpler decimal math.
- Either works for hunting at typical distances. Consistency matters more than the unit.
A few good questions.
Is MOA or MIL more accurate?
Neither. They are two ways of measuring the same angles. A 1/4 MOA click is slightly finer than a 0.1 MIL click, but both are precise enough for hunting and target shooting.
How many MOA are in a MIL?
One MIL equals about 3.44 MOA.
How many inches is 1 MOA at 100 yards?
About 1.047 inches. Many shooters round it to 1 inch.
What does 1/4 MOA per click mean?
Each click moves the point of impact about a quarter inch at 100 yards, half an inch at 200 yards, and so on.
Gear that helps.
CVLIFE BearMight 256x192 Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope
Best forHunters who want a compact thermal optic with photo and video capture and phone sharing
A compact 256x192 thermal optic with 2.4x base magnification, electronic zoom, a 50Hz OLED display, Wi-Fi and 16GB of photo and video storage.
Save about $75.52 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 20, 2026 · CVLIFE US store · Store price; tax and shipping shown at checkout.
Gunnr Thor ED 2-12x44 FFP Rifle Scope
Best forShooters who want a 2-12x first focal plane scope and already plan around 34mm rings
A 2-12x44 first focal plane scope with a 34mm tube, GRX-3C reticle options, 1/4 MOA adjustments, and a listed weight of 27 ounces.
Save about $37.00 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 25, 2026 · Gunnr store · Store price; tax and shipping shown at checkout.
Gunnr Odin ED 1-8×24 FFP LPVO Rifle Scope
Best forShooters who want a 1-8x first focal plane LPVO with an illuminated MOA reticle
A 1-8×24 first focal plane LPVO with a red GRX-2B MOA reticle, zero stop, locking turrets, and a 30mm tube.
Save about $28.00 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 20, 2026 · GUNNR US store · Store price; tax and shipping shown at checkout.
Gunnr Heimdall HD 6-24x50 FFP Rifle Scope
Best forTarget shooters who want a 6-24x first focal plane scope with an MOA reticle
A 6-24x50 first focal plane scope with a GRX-2D MOA reticle, 30mm tube, 7075 aluminum body, and IP67 protection.
Save about $10.00 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 20, 2026 · GUNNR US store · Store price; tax and shipping shown at checkout.
CVLIFE 2-10x32 AO MPVO
Best forRimfire and AR shooters who want illumination, parallax adjustment, and locking turrets on a budget
A 2-10x32 second focal plane scope with adjustable objective, a red/green illuminated BDC reticle, exposed locking turrets, and an included 30mm offset cantilever mount.
Save about $13.00 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 17, 2026 · CVLIFE US store · Store price; tax and shipping shown at checkout.
CVLIFE FoxSpook 3-9x40 R4 Riflescope (Black)
Best forHunters and range users who want a basic 3-9x variable scope with a Duplex crosshair and a 20mm Picatinny mounting option
We recommend the black CVLIFE FoxSpook 3-9x40 for buyers who want a simple variable-power optic with a standard crosshair and a clearly stated 20mm Picatinny ring type. Confirm rail fit and package contents before ordering.
Save about $4.32 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 16, 2026 · CVLIFE US/USD store · VAT/tax excluded; shipping is determined by destination. The 10% code estimate assumes it applies to this variant.
CVLIFE MOA Circle Red Dot Sight
Best forShooters who want an affordable 1x red dot for a carbine or shotgun with a choice of dot or circle reticles
A 1x red dot with a 2 MOA dot, a 32 MOA circle, and a dot-and-circle option, 12 brightness levels, Motion Awake standby, a listed 20,000-hour CR2032 battery life, and two mounting heights.
Save about $6.00 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 17, 2026 · CVLIFE US store · Store price; tax and shipping shown at checkout.
CVLIFE WolfCloak RMR Red Dot
Best forPistol owners who want an affordable RMR-footprint red dot that sits low and sleeps when idle
A 2 MOA red dot with an RMR footprint, a 0.33 inch rear deck, Motion Awake sleep after 4 minutes, 12 brightness levels, a 10,000-hour battery listing, and adapter plates for Glock MOS and 21mm Picatinny.
Save about $6.36 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 17, 2026 · CVLIFE US store · Store sale price (list $76.99); tax and shipping shown at checkout.
CVLIFE BearMight Auto-Brightness Dot
Best forPistol shooters who want an RMS/RMSc-footprint dot with auto brightness and a hood
A compact 3 MOA red or green dot on the RMS/RMSc footprint with auto and 11 manual brightness levels, Motion Awake, a side-loading CR1632 battery listed at 50,000 hours, a 5000G rating, IPX7, and a protective hood.
Save about $15.60 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 17, 2026 · CVLIFE US store · Store price for the red dot; the green dot was $154.79. Tax and shipping shown at checkout.
CVLIFE BearMight HD 3-9x40
Best forHunters who want a 3-9x scope with parallax adjustment, an illuminated BDC reticle, and rings in the box
A 3-9x40 scope with a 30mm tube, purple multi-coated lenses, an adjustable objective for parallax, capped reset turrets with 1/4 MOA clicks, a 5-level red and green illuminated etched glass BDC reticle, and 21mm rings included.
Save about $13.70 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 17, 2026 · CVLIFE US store · Store price; tax and shipping shown at checkout.
CVLIFE Enclosed Solar Red Dot Sight, 2 & 46 MOA Multi-Reticle for ACRO
Best forOptic-ready pistol owners who want an enclosed emitter and multiple reticle choices
An enclosed pistol optic with a native ACRO footprint, four reticle patterns, solar assistance with battery backup, and included RMR and MOS adapter plates.
Save about $20.40 with SEBASTIANBASSOL. Price checked October 20, 2026 · CVLIFE US store · Store listing price; tax and shipping shown at checkout.
Our approach
Written by Outdoor Gear Verdict Editorial. Grounded in standard angular measurement and riflescope adjustment math. Always follow local regulations and the manufacturer instructions for your equipment. Read our editorial standards.