The MOA / MIL scope adjustment calculator turns a missed group into a precise turret correction. Tell it how far your shots landed from point of aim, at what distance, and what your scope clicks in, and it returns the exact number of clicks to dial and the direction to turn.
How it works
Scope adjustments are angular, so a single click covers more inches the farther the target is. The two common units are:
- MOA — 1 minute of angle subtends
1.047"at 100 yards (true) or1.000"if your turret uses rounded shooter’s MOA. - MIL — 1 milliradian subtends
3.6"at 100 yards (or exactly 100 mm at 100 m).
To find the correction, the tool scales the 100-yard value to your distance, divides your impact error by it to get the angular correction, then divides by your click value:
inches_per_unit = base_at_100yd × (distance_yd / 100)
angle = error_inches / inches_per_unit
clicks = round(angle / click_value)
Worked example: zeroing at 200 yards
For example, your group lands 3 inches low at 200 yards on a scope with 1/4 MOA (0.25 MOA) per click.
One true MOA at 200 yards covers 1.047 × 2 = 2.094". The required correction is 3 ÷ 2.094 = 1.43 MOA. Dividing by your click value: 1.43 ÷ 0.25 = 5.73, which rounds to 6 clicks UP.
For a MIL scope with 0.1 MIL clicks at the same distance: one MIL at 200 yards is 3.6 × 2 = 7.2". Correction: 3 ÷ 7.2 = 0.42 MIL. Clicks: 0.42 ÷ 0.1 = 4.2, rounding to 4 clicks UP.
Common click values by system
| System | Typical click value | Inches at 100 yd per click |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 MOA | 0.25 MOA | ~0.26” |
| 1/8 MOA | 0.125 MOA | ~0.13” |
| 0.1 MIL | 0.1 MRAD | ~0.36” |
| 0.25 MIL | 0.25 MRAD | ~0.90” |
Most competition and precision hunting scopes use 0.1 MIL or 1/4 MOA. Confirm the value stamped on your turret caps — the most common zeroing mistake is using the wrong click value in your math.
Practical tips for zeroing
Start close. At 25 yards many rifles will be close enough to a 100-yard zero that you can get on paper confidently, then move back to confirm and fine-tune.
Shoot a group, not a single shot. A group of three or more reveals your actual point of impact rather than a fluke; measure from the group center.
Direction rule: move the reticle toward the impact. Shot lands low — dial UP. Shot lands right — dial LEFT. This feels counterintuitive until you internalise it; the calculator shows the direction automatically.
True MOA vs. shooter’s MOA matters at distance. The ~4.7% difference between 1.047” and 1.000” per 100 yards is negligible at short range but grows meaningfully past 600 yards. Use true MOA if your scope is calibrated for it and you are shooting long.