Military and marine binoculars often have a reticle graduated in milliradians (mils). One mil covers 1 m at 1,000 m, so an object of known height that spans a certain number of mils is at a predictable distance – the “mil relation”.
How to use the Binoculars Range Calculator
- Object height
- Angular height of the object (mrad)
Results update as you type, every field has its own unit menu, and everything is calculated in your browser.
How it works
Enter the known height of the object and how many milliradians it spans in the reticle.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Object height | Units: m, cm, mm, km, in, ft … |
| Angular height of the object (mrad) | A number |
What each result means
- Distance to the object = [Object height]÷[Angular height of the object (mrad)]×1000
- Angular height in MOA = [Angular height of the object (mrad)]×3.4377
Example values
How the main result changes when Object height changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Object height (m) | Distance to the object (m) |
|---|---|
| 0.9 | 450 |
| 1.35 | 675 |
| 1.8 | 900 |
| 2.25 | 1,125 |
| 2.7 | 1,350 |
| 3.6 | 1,800 |
Formula
Distance = object height / angular height (in mrad) × 1000
Worked example
Inputs — Object height: 1.8 m; Angular height of the object (mrad): 2.
Results — Distance to the object = 900 m; Angular height in MOA = 6.875 MOA.
Key terms
- Milliradian
- One thousandth of a radian.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mil?
A milliradian – 1 m at 1,000 m.
How accurate is mil ranging?
Within a few percent if the object size and reading are accurate.
What are typical object sizes?
A standing person ≈ 1.8 m, a car ≈ 1.5 m high, a door ≈ 2 m.
Can I use MOA instead?
Yes – 1 mrad ≈ 3.438 MOA.