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Crossbow glossary

What Is MOA (Minute of Angle)?

MOA (Minute of Angle): An angular unit used for scope adjustments and accuracy; about 1 inch at 100 yards.

By Marisol Vega, Senior Outdoor Equipment Writer & Research Editor. Manufacturer figures vary; check your crossbow's manual.

One minute of angle is 1/60 of a degree, which subtends roughly 1.05 inches at 100 yards. Scope turrets are commonly graduated in fractions of an MOA, such as 1/4 MOA per click.

Group size is also sometimes described in MOA to compare precision at different distances.

Converting MOA to inches

Inches ≈ MOA × 1.047 × (distance in yards ÷ 100)

A 2 MOA group at 40 yards is about 2 × 1.047 × 0.4 ≈ 0.84 inches. A 2-inch group at 40 yards is therefore about 4.8 MOA.

Why MOA matters

MOA gives you one way to compare accuracy and scope adjustments across different distances. A group measured in inches at 20 yards and one at 60 yards cannot be compared directly, but both convert to a MOA figure.

For scopes, MOA describes the size of each turret click. Knowing the click value tells you how far the point of impact moves when you adjust.

How to read it on a spec sheet

  • On a turret, check the value per click, often 1/4 MOA, and the direction arrows.
  • When a review reports group size, look for both the distance and the number of shots. A single tight group is less meaningful than several.

Common mistakes

  • Quoting a group in MOA without stating the distance and shot count.
  • Assuming one MOA equals exactly one inch at 100 yards. It is about 1.047 inches.

In my testing

I measure five-bolt groups centre to centre at fixed distances and report them in inches with the distance stated. Convert with the formula if you want MOA. How I test.

Frequently asked questions

How many inches is 1 MOA?

About 1.047 inches at 100 yards, roughly 0.5 inch at 50 yards and 0.2 inch at 20 yards.

Do crossbow scopes use MOA?

Many adjustable scopes do, but crossbow reticles are often marked for distance instead, so MOA matters most when adjusting turrets or comparing group sizes.

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Definitions are general information. Always follow your crossbow manufacturer's manual, and verify local laws with the relevant authority.