A 2 MOA dot covers about 15 mm at 25 metres and 58 mm at 100 metres. A 3 MOA dot covers about 22 mm and 87 mm, and a 6 MOA dot about 44 mm and 175 mm. In practice, 2 MOA suits rifles and precision work, 6 MOA suits fast pistol shooting at short range, and 3 MOA sits between the two.
The chart below gives coverage at common metric distances, with a yards version for anyone zeroing in yards. The circle sizes Holosun, Trijicon, SIG and EOTech use are included too.
Key takeaways
- 1 MOA covers about 29 mm at 100 m, or 1.047 in at 100 yards, and it shrinks in proportion as the target gets closer.
- A 6 MOA dot covers only about 44 mm at 25 m, which costs little accuracy at pistol distances.
- Holosun's pistol Multi-Reticle System uses a 32 MOA circle. The HS510C rifle and shotgun sight uses a 65 MOA circle, and EOTech's ring is 68 MOA.
- A 3x magnifier makes the dot look three times bigger, but it still covers the same 2 MOA of target.
- Brightness and astigmatism both make a dot look bigger than its rated size.
What the numbers mean
MOA (minute of angle) is an angle: one sixtieth of a degree. Because it's an angle, what it covers grows with distance. It's about 2.9 mm at 10 m, 7.3 mm at 25 m and 29.1 mm at 100 m. So a 6 MOA dot covers six times those figures. There's a fuller explanation in what is MOA? and more distances in the MOA at distance chart.
Dot and circle coverage chart (metres)
| Reticle | 10 m | 25 m | 50 m | 100 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 MOA dot | 3 mm | 7 mm | 15 mm | 29 mm |
| 2 MOA dot | 6 mm | 15 mm | 29 mm | 58 mm |
| 3 MOA dot | 9 mm | 22 mm | 44 mm | 87 mm |
| 3.25 MOA dot (Trijicon) | 9 mm | 24 mm | 47 mm | 95 mm |
| 6 MOA dot | 17 mm | 44 mm | 87 mm | 175 mm |
| 6.5 MOA dot (Trijicon) | 19 mm | 47 mm | 95 mm | 189 mm |
| 32 MOA circle (Holosun and SIG pistol) | 93 mm | 233 mm | 465 mm | — |
| 55 MOA circle (Trijicon RMR HD) | 160 mm | 400 mm | — | — |
| 65 MOA circle (Holosun HS510C) | 189 mm | 473 mm | — | — |
| 68 MOA ring (EOTech) | 198 mm | 495 mm | — | — |
Figures are calculated from 1 MOA = 1/60 degree and rounded to the nearest millimetre. Circles are measured across the diameter. We've left out long-range circle figures because nobody uses a 65 MOA ring at 100 m.
The same chart in yards
| Dot | 25 yd | 50 yd | 100 yd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 MOA | 0.26 in | 0.52 in | 1.05 in |
| 2 MOA | 0.52 in | 1.05 in | 2.09 in |
| 3 MOA | 0.79 in | 1.57 in | 3.14 in |
| 6 MOA | 1.57 in | 3.14 in | 6.28 in |
Which size should you choose?
1 to 2 MOA: rifles and precision
At 100 m a 2 MOA dot covers 58 mm, so it won't hide a small target. That's why it's the usual choice on rifle dot sights, and why Trijicon offers a 1.0 MOA RMR and SRO for precision work. If you add a red dot magnifier, remember it magnifies the dot and the target equally. A 2 MOA dot behind a 3x magnifier looks three times larger but still covers 2 MOA of target. Our magnifier guide explains the rest.
3 to 3.25 MOA: the all-rounder
This is slightly quicker to find than 2 MOA and still precise enough for 50 m work. Trijicon's 3.25 MOA RMR Type 2 RM06 and the 3 MOA SIG ROMEO-X Pro are good examples.
6 to 6.5 MOA: pistols and speed
A large dot is easy to see at the short distances pistol optics are normally shot at, and inside 25 m it covers only 44 mm. Most pistol sights we stock offer a 6 MOA version, for example the Holosun EPS Carry 6 MOA. Browse pistol dot sights.
Circle-dot: both in one
A circle-dot reticle gives you a big ring for fast close-range pickup and a small centre dot for precision, and on multi-reticle sights you can switch between them. On pistols, Holosun's MRS and SIG's circle-dot both use a 2 MOA dot inside a 32 MOA circle. On rifle and shotgun sights, the Holosun HS510C uses a 65 MOA circle and EOTech a 68 MOA ring. At 25 m they span roughly half a metre, which is why they're popular on shotgun red dots.
Expert tip
Pick dot size for your closest likely target, not your furthest. A 6 MOA dot at 50 m still covers only 87 mm. You'll lose less by holding carefully with a big dot than by hunting for a small one when you're in a hurry.
Two things the chart doesn't show
- Brightness changes apparent size. A dot on a high setting blooms and looks larger than its rating. Use the lowest setting that's clearly visible against your target.
- Astigmatism makes dots look bigger and smeared. If every dot looks like a starburst, a circle reticle, a holographic sight or a prism scope with an etched reticle will usually serve you better than a smaller dot. See the astigmatism guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2 MOA or 6 MOA better for a pistol?
For most pistol shooting, 6 MOA is faster to pick up and covers only about 44 mm at 25 m. Choose 2 or 3 MOA if you shoot longer pistol distances or bullseye-style precision.
What dot size is best for a rifle?
1 to 2 MOA for precision at 100 m and beyond, or a circle-dot if you also shoot close and fast. A 2 MOA dot covers 58 mm at 100 m.
Does a magnifier make the dot bigger?
It makes it look bigger, but it enlarges the target by the same amount, so the dot still covers the same MOA. What changes is that you can see the target better.
How big is a 32 MOA circle at 25 metres?
About 233 mm across, a little wider than an A4 sheet (210 mm). The 2 MOA centre dot covers about 15 mm.
Shop this guide
- Pistol Dot Sights — 2, 3, 6 MOA and circle-dot options
- Rifle Dot Sights — fine dots and big circles for rifles
- Red Dot Sights — compare dot sizes across the whole range
