Grasping how MOA (Minute of Angle) translates into actual inches on a target is essential—not just for choosing the right red dot sight, but also for making accurate adjustments when zeroing your optic. The basic rule of thumb is straightforward:
1 MOA ≈ 1 inch at 100 yards.

This gives shooters a tangible way to visualize dot size and adjustment impact. But since shooting doesn’t always happen exactly at 100 yards, it’s important to know how MOA scales with distance. Fortunately, there's a simple formula:

Size in Inches = (MOA × Distance in Yards) ÷ 100

Let’s break that down with a few examples:

• 2 MOA dot at 50 yards:
  $2\times 50÷100=1$ inch
  → The dot covers approximately 1 inch of the target at 50 yards.

• 1 MOA adjustment at 200 yards:
  $1\times 200÷100=2$ inches
  → One 1-MOA click will shift your point of impact by roughly 2 inches.

• 4 MOA dot at 25 yards:
  $4\times 25÷100=1$ inch
  → The dot will appear about 1 inch in size on the target at 25 yards.

Why This Matters

As distance increases, the physical size that a red dot or adjustment affects also grows proportionally. That’s why smaller MOA dots are better for long-range precision—they cover less of the target, allowing for finer aim.

This concept is also crucial when zeroing your optic. Red dot sights often offer click adjustments measured in MOA—such as 1 MOA per click or ½ MOA per click. Understanding how much each click moves your point of impact (in inches) at your chosen zeroing distance ensures you can make precise corrections and get dialed in faster.