Convert light year to kilometer
Please provide values below to convert light year [ly] to kilometer [km], or Convert kilometer to light year.
1 ly = 9.4607e+12 km. To convert light year to kilometer, multiply the value by 9.4607e+12; to go the other way, divide by it (1 km = 1.0570e-13 ly). Both units measure length and appear in everyday as well as technical calculations, so switching between them quickly is often useful.
Quick Reference
- 1 ly = 9.4607e+12 km
- 1 km = 1.0570e-13 ly
- 10 ly = 9.4607e+13 km
- 100 ly = 9.4607e+14 km
How to Convert Light Year to Kilometer
1 ly = 9460730472580 km
Example: convert 15 ly to km:
15 ly = 15 × 9460730472580 km = 141910957088700 km
Light Year to Kilometer Conversion Table
| light year | kilometer |
|---|---|
| 1 ly | 9.4607e+12 km |
| 2 ly | 1.8921e+13 km |
| 3 ly | 2.8382e+13 km |
| 5 ly | 4.7304e+13 km |
| 10 ly | 9.4607e+13 km |
| 20 ly | 1.8921e+14 km |
| 50 ly | 4.7304e+14 km |
| 100 ly | 9.4607e+14 km |
| 500 ly | 4.7304e+15 km |
| 1000 ly | 9.4607e+15 km |
Light Year
A light-year is the distance that light travels in a vacuum in one Julian year.
History/Origin
The concept of the light-year as a unit of distance in astronomy emerged in the mid-19th century. The first recorded use of the term was in a German astronomical publication in 1851.
Current Use
The light-year is used to express distances to stars and other astronomical objects on a galactic and intergalactic scale, especially in popular science and non-specialist contexts.
Kilometer
A kilometer is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one thousand meters.
History/Origin
The term "kilometer" is derived from the Greek words "khilioi" (thousand) and "metron" (measure). The kilometer was first defined as part of the metric system in France in 1795.
Current Use
The kilometer is the most widely used unit of distance for road signs and travel distances in the world, with the notable exceptions of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 1 light year in kilometer?
1 light year (ly) = 9.4607e+12 kilometer (km).
How do you convert light year to kilometer?
Multiply the light year value by 9.4607e+12. For example, 25 ly × 9.4607e+12 = 2.3652e+14 km.
What is 10 light year in kilometer?
10 ly = 9.4607e+13 km.
Which unit is larger, the light year or the kilometer?
The light year is the larger unit: 1 ly = 9.4607e+12 km.