AR-15 red dot and LPVO mount height
The standard AR-15 optic heights, what each one lines up with the iron sights, and when to run the taller 1.93 inch mount.
On an AR-15 the mount height sets where the dot sits against the iron sights. Absolute cowitness puts the dot at about 1.42 in so the irons sit in the middle of the window. Lower 1/3 cowitness at about 1.5 to 1.57 in puts the irons in the lower third.
The 1.93 in height lifts the optic for a heads-up posture, which many shooters prefer for red dots and for LPVOs, where the tighter eye box makes a repeatable head position matter more.
Most one-piece LPVO cantilever mounts ship around 1.5 to 1.54 in, giving an absolute-style cowitness. Pick the height by the posture you want and by whether you need to cowitness irons.
- ›Aimpoint Micro footprintcommon AR red dot
- ›One-piece cantilever versus two-piece ringsAR mounting
- ›Scope ring height and objective clearancering heights
Sources: Best height for a red dot, Primary Arms · AR-15 red dot cowitness guide, Swampfox · LPVO mounting height guide, Swat Optics