How to Zero a Red Dot Sight: A Step-by-Step Guide

Zeroing is the process of aligning your red dot's point of aim with your point of impact. A good zero is what makes a red dot accurate, and it only takes a few minutes once you know the steps. This guide walks you through it.

What you will need

• Your firearm with the red dot securely mounted
• A stable rest or bag to minimise wobble
• A target at your chosen zero distance
• The adjustment tool for your optic (often included)

Step 1: Choose a zero distance

Common zero distances for a rifle red dot are 25, 36 or 50 yards/metres, each giving a slightly different trajectory. For pistols, 10 to 25 yards is typical. Pick a distance that suits how you will actually use the optic.

Step 2: Mount securely and check the dot

Make sure the optic is torqued correctly and the mount is solid. A loose optic will never hold zero. If you are running a rifle optic, confirm your mount height suits your setup — see how to co-witness a red dot with iron sights.

Step 3: Fire a group

From a stable rest, aim at the centre of the target and fire a tight group of three to five rounds. Use the same point of aim for each shot so the group reflects the optic, not your hold.

Step 4: Adjust windage and elevation

Measure how far your group sits from the centre. Use the turrets to move the dot toward the group's centre: windage for left/right, elevation for up/down. Most optics adjust in defined MOA clicks — understanding what MOA means helps you calculate the correction precisely.

Step 5: Confirm

Fire another group to confirm the correction. Repeat until your group is centred on your point of aim. Once confirmed, your red dot is zeroed and ready to use.

Keeping your zero

A quality optic and mount will hold zero through recoil and handling. To keep it reliable, check your battery and mounting screws periodically — see our red dot sight battery life and maintenance guide. Browse rugged, zero-holding optics in our red dot sights range.