Convert light years to parsecs
Enter the number of light years that you want to convert to parsecs.
How to Convert Light Years to Parsecs
The light year and parsec are both units of length. 1 parsec equals 3.2618116478 light years. This means to convert light years to parsecs, you divide by 3.2618116478.
Formula
Step-by-Step Example
Convert 5 ly to parsecs:
We need to convert light years to parsecs
Since 1 pc = 3.2618116478 ly, divide by 3.2618116478
5 ÷ 3.2618116478 = 1.5328904731
5 ly = 1.5328904731 pc
Light Year to Parsec Conversion Table
Quick reference table for common light year to parsec conversions. Click any value for detailed calculation.
| Light Years (ly) | Parsecs (pc) |
|---|---|
| 1 ly | 0.3065780946 pc |
| 2 ly | 0.6131561892 pc |
| 5 ly | 1.5328904731 pc |
| 10 ly | 3.0657809462 pc |
| 15 ly | 4.5986714193 pc |
| 20 ly | 6.1315618924 pc |
| 25 ly | 7.6644523655 pc |
| 50 ly | 15.328904731 pc |
| 100 ly | 30.657809462 pc |
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.
Parsec (pc)
A parsec (pc) is an astronomical unit equal to approximately 3.26 light years or 3.086×10¹⁶ meters. Parsecs measure stellar and galactic distances using parallax. The Milky Way galaxy is about 30,000 parsecs in diameter. Kiloparsecs (kpc) and megaparsecs (Mpc) measure larger cosmic distances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert light years to parsecs?
To convert light years to parsecs, divide the value by 3.2618116478. For example, 10 ly = 3.0657809462 pc.
How many parsecs are in 1 light year?
1 light year equals 0.3065780946 parsecs.
What is the formula for light years to parsecs?
The formula is: pc = ly ÷ 3.2618116478.