What Is a Half-Moon Chip in a Windshield?
Reviewed by the Skyview Auto Glass technical team — NWRD-, ASE- and DINITROL-trained technicians · Updated November 2026
Quick answer
A half-moon chip is a partial bullseye — a round impact break that only forms a half or crescent circle instead of a full ring. It forms when a stone strikes at a shallow angle. It usually fills well because the damage stays in a contained shape in the outer layer.
How a half-moon forms
A half-moon is a cousin of the bullseye. Where a bullseye is a full target, a half-moon is only part of the circle, leaving a crescent or half-ring of crushed glass. The shape comes from a stone striking at a shallow angle rather than dead-on, so the cone only forms on one side of the impact point.
The partial cone still sits in the outer glass layer, and the damage is usually as contained as a full bullseye. That makes a half-moon one of the more repairable chip types, provided it is fresh and under about quarter size.
Because only part of the ring formed, a half-moon can be easy to mistake for a surface pit. Running a fingernail across it tells you whether the glass is actually broken below the surface, since a real chip catches the nail while a surface deposit does not.
Cover it and book soon
Like any chip, a half-moon fills best when it is clean and dry. Dirt and water that settle into the crescent weaken the resin bond and leave a more visible mark. A piece of clear tape over the break keeps it clean until the repair.
Whether a half-moon needs more than a repair
- The crescent is under about quarter size and shallow
- A resin repair usually fills it cleanly.
- A crack runs out of the crescent
- The break is spreading, and repair becomes less reliable.
- The chip sits in the driver’s direct sight line
- Even a clean fill may show, and replacement may be the better call.
What to do right after a half-moon
- Seal the chip with clear tape so dirt and moisture stay out.
- Run a fingernail across it to confirm the glass is broken.
- Note whether it sits in your direct sight line.
- Schedule the repair within a day or two while the chip is still clean.
- Skip the car wash until the repair is done.
More questions about half-moon chips
Can a half moon chip be repaired?
Yes. A half-moon is a partial bullseye and usually fills well when it is fresh, clean, and under about quarter size.
What is a half moon windshield chip?
A round impact break that forms only a half or crescent circle, usually from a stone striking at a shallow angle. It sits in the outer glass layer.
Is a half moon chip the same as a bullseye?
Close, but not quite. A bullseye is a full ring; a half-moon is part of one. Both are usually repairable when small and fresh.
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