5.56×45mm NATO (rifle) vs 7.62×51mm NATO (rifle)
NATO's two standard rifle cartridges. The 7.62×51mm, adopted first, has a reference effective range of about 800 metres; the 5.56×45mm that replaced it in the infantry rifle, about 500. The switch let soldiers carry more ammunition and control their weapons better; the 7.62 lives on in machine guns and marksman rifles.
5.56×45mm NATO (rifle) · 500 m — 7.62×51mm NATO (rifle) · 800 m
7.62×51mm NATO (rifle) reaches about 1.6 times farther than 5.56×45mm NATO (rifle)
Both lines start at the same point. Each interval multiplies distance: this is not a trajectory or geographic route.
5.56×45mm NATO (rifle)
500 m · reference effective range
Common effective-range reference for an infantry rifle.
7.62×51mm NATO (rifle)
800 m · reference effective range
Effective-range reference, not maximum projectile flight.
Full scale
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* Estimate, variable figure or condition-dependent envelope. It does not indicate accuracy, effectiveness or effects.
Figures used and how reliable they are
- 5.56×45mm NATO (rifle): 500 m. Common effective-range reference for an infantry rifle.
- 7.62×51mm NATO (rifle): 800 m. Effective-range reference, not maximum projectile flight.
Related comparisons
Compare any other pair in the projectile range comparison, with its full method. More context: Weapons · Military history · All tools
Sources / References
- Royal Armouries and The Metropolitan Museum of Art bow and crossbow catalogues.
- U.S. Army public technical manuals for small arms and artillery.
- BAE Systems and KNDS public sheets for the M777 and CAESAR.
- NATO public ammunition standardisation material.