How do I convert mils to degrees?

Formula (NATO mil) : Degrees = Mils × (360/6400) = Mils × 0.05625 Examples : 100 mils = 5.625° 1600 mils = 90° 3200 mils = 180° 6400 mils = 360° 1 mil ≈ 0.05625° Mils to Degrees converter →

How do mils work for range estimation?

Fundamental principle : At 1000 meters, 1 mil subtends approximately 1 meter. Range formula : Range (m) = (Object size in meters × 1000) ÷ Object size in mils Common target sizes : Adult human : ~1.7m tall Doorway : ~2m tall Car : ~4m long, ~1.5m tall Tank : ~3m wide, ~2.5m tall Shipping container : ~12m long, ~2.5m tall Example : If a 2-meter tall object appears to be 4 mils in your scope, it's 500 meters away: (2 × 1000) ÷ 4 = 500m

What's the difference between NATO mils and Russian mils?

NATO/US Military : 6400 mils = 360° (1 mil = 0.05625°) Used by NATO countries, US military, most Western forces Divides circle into 6400 parts (approximation of 2000π) Soviet/Russian : 6000 mils = 360° (1 mil = 0.06°) Used by Russian and former Soviet militaries Divides circle into 6000 parts (decimal convenience) Practical impact : Russian mil is slightly larger. Always verify which system your equipment uses. Most modern Western civilian and military equipment uses NATO mils.

How do mil-dot scopes work?

Mil-dot reticle : Crosshairs marked with dots spaced 1 mil apart (center-to-center). Applications : Range estimation : Measure target size in mils, calculate distance Holdover : Use lower dots for bullet drop compensation Windage : Use horizontal dots for wind drift correction Moving targets : Lead calculation using mil spacing Example : Target (1.7m tall person) covers 2 mil-dots → Range = (1.7 × 1000) ÷ 2 = 850 meters Modern variations : Mil-dot, mil-hash, Christmas tree reticles all use milliradian spacing for calculations.

Mil (mil) - Unit Information & Conversion

Symbol:mil

Plural:mils

Category:Angle

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What is a Mil?

Mil (milliradian or angular mil) is a military angle unit for artillery, firearms, and optics. 1 mil ≈ 1/6400 circle (NATO) or 1/6000 circle (USSR). Used for range estimation, targeting, and ballistics calculations.

History of the Mil

Developed for military use in early 1900s. Approximates 1 milliradian. NATO uses 6400 mils per circle, while Soviet/Russian military used 6000 mils. Essential for artillery fire control and sniper calculations.

Quick Answer

What is a Mil? A mil (angular mil or milliradian) is a military angle unit used for artillery, targeting, and range estimation. NATO standard: 6400 mils = 360°, so 1 mil ≈ 0.05625°. At 1000 meters, 1 mil equals approximately 1 meter of deviation. Use our angle converter for instant conversions.

Definition

NATO mil: 1 mil = 1/6400 of a circle ≈ 0.05625 degrees ≈ 0.000982 radians

Alternative definitions:

NATO/US military: 6400 mils = 360° (standard)
Soviet/Russian: 6000 mils = 360°
Swedish: 6300 mils = 360°
True milliradian: 1000 milliradians = 1 radian (6283.2 mils = 360°)

Key conversions (NATO mil):

1 mil ≈ 0.05625 degrees
1600 mils = 90 degrees (right angle)
3200 mils = 180 degrees
6400 mils = 360 degrees (full circle)

Common Uses

Military Artillery: Gun laying, indirect fire calculations, ballistic corrections. Sniper Operations: Scope adjustments, windage, elevation corrections for long-range shooting. Rangefinding: Estimating target distance using known target size and angular measurements. Fire Control Systems: Tank gunnery, naval artillery, anti-aircraft targeting.

Real-World Examples

Military Rangefinding Formula

Basic range estimation: Range (meters) = (Target size in meters × 1000) ÷ Target size in mils

Examples:

Tank (2.5m tall) appears 5 mils → Range = (2.5 × 1000) ÷ 5 = 500 meters
Person (1.7m tall) appears 2 mils → Range = (1.7 × 1000) ÷ 2 = 850 meters
Vehicle (3m wide) appears 10 mils → Range = (3 × 1000) ÷ 10 = 300 meters

Sniper Scope Adjustments

1 mil at 100m: ≈ 10 cm deviation
1 mil at 500m: ≈ 50 cm deviation
1 mil at 1000m: ≈ 1 meter deviation
Typical scope: 1 click = 0.1 mil adjustment

Artillery Calculations

Azimuth corrections: Measured in mils for direction changes
Elevation adjustments: Vertical angle in mils for range
Wind deflection: Calculated in mils based on range and wind speed
Fire mission: "Left 20 mils, add 50 mils elevation"

Optical Equipment

Binoculars with reticle: Graduated in mils for distance estimation
Spotting scopes: Mil-dot reticles for target measurement
Rifle scopes: First Focal Plane (FFP) scopes with mil-dot or mil-hash reticles
Laser rangefinders: Some display angular measurements in mils

Mil Conversion Formulas

To Degree:

1 mil = 0.05625 °

Example: 5 mils = 0.28125 degrees

To Radian:

1 mil = 0.000982 rad

Example: 5 mils = 0.004909 radians

To Gradian:

1 mil = 0.0625 grad

Example: 5 mils = 0.3125 gradians

To Arcminute:

1 mil = 3.375 ′

Example: 5 mils = 16.875 arcminutes

To Arcsecond:

1 mil = 202.5 ″

Example: 5 mils = 1012.5 arcseconds

To Turn:

1 mil = 0.000156 turn

Example: 5 mils = 0.000781 turns

To Revolution:

1 mil = 0.000156 rev

Example: 5 mils = 0.000781 revolutions

To Quadrant:

1 mil = 0.000625 quad

Example: 5 mils = 0.003125 quadrants

To Gon:

1 mil = 0.0625 gon

Example: 5 mils = 0.3125 gons

Frequently Asked Questions

Formula (NATO mil): Degrees = Mils × (360/6400) = Mils × 0.05625 Examples:

100 mils = 5.625°
1600 mils = 90°
3200 mils = 180°
6400 mils = 360°
1 mil ≈ 0.05625° Mils to Degrees converter →

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Need to convert Mil to other angle units? Use our conversion tool.

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