Dot size is the first spec on every red dot listing, but what does a 2 MOA or 6 MOA dot actually cover downrange? Here's the chart, then how to choose.
What the numbers mean
1 MOA (minute of angle) covers roughly 29mm at 100 metres (1.047in at 100 yards). Because it's angular, the dot covers proportionally less up close — full explanation in our What is MOA? guide.
Dot coverage chart (approximate)
| Dot size | 10m | 25m | 50m | 100m |
| 2 MOA | 6mm | 15mm | 29mm | 58mm |
| 3 MOA | 9mm | 22mm | 44mm | 87mm |
| 6 MOA | 17mm | 44mm | 87mm | 175mm |
| 32 MOA circle | 93mm | 233mm | 465mm | — |
| 65 MOA circle | 189mm | 473mm | — | — |
Which size should you choose?
- 2 MOA — rifles and precision. At 100m it covers just 58mm, so it won't swallow your target. The standard choice on rifle dot sights; pairs well with a 3x magnifier, which makes a 2 MOA dot appear 6 MOA.
- 3 MOA — the all-rounder. Slightly faster to find than 2 MOA, still precise enough for 50m+ work. Common on value pistol optics like the EPS CORE.
- 6 MOA — pistols and speed. Big, instantly visible, ideal for defensive pistol distances where you shoot inside 25m. At that range it only covers 44mm — precision is barely affected. Browse pistol dot sights.
- Circle-dot (MRS) — the best of both. Holosun's Multi-Reticle System gives you a 65 MOA circle for instant close-range pickup with a 2 MOA centre dot for precision — and you can switch between them. Excellent on shotguns, where the circle roughly frames your pattern spread.
Two things the chart doesn't show
- Astigmatism makes every dot bigger. If dots bloom or starburst for you, a larger crisp-looking dot or a prism scope beats squinting at a fuzzy 2 MOA — see our astigmatism guide.
- Brightness changes apparent size. A 2 MOA dot on maximum brightness can bloom to look like 4–6 MOA. Run the lowest setting that's clearly visible.
Compare reticle options across the full red dot range — every listing states its dot size in the spec table. UK-stocked, fast tracked dispatch.