Convert Astronomical Unit to Light Year
Input the number of astronomical units you want to convert to light years.
How to Convert Astronomical Units to Light Years
The astronomical unit and light year are both units of length. 1 light year equals 63241.97861 astronomical units. This means to convert astronomical units to light years, you divide by 63241.97861.
Formula
Step-by-Step Example
Convert 5 AU to light years:
We need to convert astronomical units to light years
Since 1 ly = 63241.97861 AU, divide by 63241.97861
5 ÷ 63241.97861 = 7.9061409999e-5
5 AU = 7.9061409999e-5 ly
Astronomical Unit to Light Year Conversion Table
Quick reference table for common astronomical unit to light year conversions. Click any value for detailed calculation.
| Astronomical Units (AU) | Light Years (ly) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 AU | 1.5812282e-6 ly |
| 0.5 AU | 7.9061409999e-6 ly |
| 1 AU | 1.5812282e-5 ly |
| 2 AU | 3.1624564e-5 ly |
| 5 AU | 7.9061409999e-5 ly |
| 10 AU | 0.0001581228 ly |
| 25 AU | 0.000395307 ly |
| 50 AU | 0.0007906141 ly |
| 100 AU | 0.0015812282 ly |
About These Units
Astronomical Unit (AU)
An astronomical unit (AU) is the average distance from Earth to the Sun: approximately 149.6 million kilometers or 93 million miles. AUs measure distances within our solar system. Mars is 1.52 AU from the Sun, Jupiter is 5.2 AU.
Light Year (ly)
A light year (ly) is the distance light travels in one year: approximately 9.461 trillion kilometers or 5.879 trillion miles. Light years measure interstellar distances. The nearest star Proxima Centauri is 4.24 light years away. Light travels 299,792 km/second.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert astronomical units to light years?
To convert astronomical units to light years, divide the value by 63241.97861. For example, 10 AU = 0.0001581228 ly.
How many light years are in 1 astronomical unit?
1 astronomical unit equals 1.5812282e-5 light years.
What is the formula for astronomical units to light years?
The formula is: ly = AU ÷ 63241.97861.