Convert light years to km
Type the number of light years that you wish to convert to kilometers.
How to Convert Light Years to Kilometers
The light year and kilometer are both units of length. By definition, 1 light year equals exactly 9.461e12 kilometers. This means to convert light years to kilometers, you multiply by 9.461e12.
Formula
Step-by-Step Example
Convert 5 ly to kilometers:
We need to convert light years to kilometers
Since 1 ly = 9.461e12 km, multiply by 9.461e12
5 × 9.461e12 = 4.7305e13
5 ly = 4.7305e13 km
Light Year to Kilometer Conversion Table
Quick reference table for common light year to kilometer conversions. Click any value for detailed calculation.
| Light Years (ly) | Kilometers (km) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 ly | 946100000000 km |
| 0.5 ly | 4.7305e12 km |
| 1 ly | 9.461e12 km |
| 2 ly | 1.8922e13 km |
| 5 ly | 4.7305e13 km |
| 10 ly | 9.461e13 km |
| 25 ly | 2.36525e14 km |
| 50 ly | 4.7305e14 km |
| 100 ly | 9.461e14 km |
About These Units
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.
Kilometer (km)
A kilometer (km) is a metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters or approximately 0.621 miles. Kilometers are the standard unit for measuring road distances, running races, and geographic distances in most countries worldwide. Common conversions: 1 km = 0.621 miles, 1 mile = 1.609 km.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert light years to kilometers?
To convert light years to kilometers, multiply the value by 9.461e12. For example, 10 ly = 9.461e13 km.
How many kilometers are in 1 light year?
1 light year equals 9.461e12 kilometers.
What is the formula for light years to kilometers?
The formula is: km = ly × 9.461e12.