Convert parsecs to light years
Input the number of parsecs you want to convert to light years.
How to Convert Parsecs to Light Years
The parsec and light year are both units of length. 1 parsec equals 3.2618116478 light years. This means to convert parsecs to light years, you multiply by 3.2618116478.
Formula
Step-by-Step Example
Convert 5 pc to light years:
We need to convert parsecs to light years
Since 1 pc = 3.2618116478 ly, multiply by 3.2618116478
5 × 3.2618116478 = 16.309058239
5 pc = 16.309058239 ly
Parsec to Light Year Conversion Table
Quick reference table for common parsec to light year conversions. Click any value for detailed calculation.
| Parsecs (pc) | Light Years (ly) |
|---|---|
| 1 pc | 3.2618116478 ly |
| 2 pc | 6.5236232956 ly |
| 5 pc | 16.309058239 ly |
| 10 pc | 32.618116478 ly |
| 15 pc | 48.927174717 ly |
| 20 pc | 65.236232956 ly |
| 25 pc | 81.545291195 ly |
| 50 pc | 163.09058239 ly |
| 100 pc | 326.18116478 ly |
About These Units
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.
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 parsecs to light years?
To convert parsecs to light years, multiply the value by 3.2618116478. For example, 10 pc = 32.618116478 ly.
How many light years are in 1 parsec?
1 parsec equals 3.2618116478 light years.
What is the formula for parsecs to light years?
The formula is: ly = pc × 3.2618116478.