What does lead distance mean?

Lead distance is how many meters in front of the target's current position you must aim so the projectile arrives at the same point the target reaches during flight time.

Why does a 0° or 180° angle give zero lead?

When the target moves directly toward or away from you there is no lateral component, so no sideways offset is needed — you aim straight at the target's predicted position along the line of sight.

Does this account for bullet drop or wind?

No. This tool solves the flat-plane intercept geometry only. Real-world ballistics also involves gravity drop, drag, and wind — factors that vary by cartridge and environment.

Which angle should I use for a target running across my field of view?

A target running perpendicular to your line of sight is 90°. Adjust toward 0° if it is angling in and toward 180° if it is angling away.

Projectile Lead Calculator

Name: Projectile Lead Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Calculate how far ahead to aim at a moving target given target speed, distance, and projectile velocity.

Inputs

Weapon Preset

Projectile Velocity (m/s)

Target Speed Preset

Target Speed

Distance to Target (m)

Target Movement Angle: 90°

0° toward you 90° crossing 180° away

Set your inputs and press Calculate Lead

Formula used: lead = target_speed × sin(angle) × distance / (projectile_velocity − target_speed × cos(angle)). Angle 0° = target heading toward shooter; 90° = perpendicular crossing; 180° = moving away.

Summary

Calculate how far ahead to aim at a moving target given target speed, distance, and projectile velocity.

How it works

Enter target speed and unit (m/s or km/h), distance to target in meters, and projectile velocity in m/s.
Set the target movement angle: 0° means heading straight toward you, 90° means crossing perpendicular, 180° means moving directly away.
The tool computes time of flight (distance / projectile velocity), then applies the intercept formula to find lead distance and angle.
The result card shows lead distance in meters, aim offset angle in degrees, and time of flight.
Use the presets dropdowns to load common weapon velocities and target speeds from popular shooters.

Use cases

Dial in sniper shots on running players in first-person shooter games.
Estimate lead for vehicle targets crossing at high speed.
Cross-check manual aim intuition with the exact calculated offset.
Practice intercept geometry for real-world ballistics training exercises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed by Nham Vu