Parsecs to Light Years
Convert the parsec that astronomers publish in to the light year that popular writing uses. A parsec is the distance at which Earth’s orbital radius spans one arcsecond.
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Common values
Formula
ly = pc × 3.2615637772
One parsec is about 3.26 light years. Proxima Centauri, the nearest star, sits at 1.30 parsecs — 4.24 light years away.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How many ly is 1 pc?
1 pc is 3.2616 ly, and 10 pc is 32.6156 ly. Type any value in the box above to convert instantly.
Q. And how many pc is 1 ly?
1 ly is 0.3066 pc. This converter works both ways, so typing in the right box updates the left one.
Q. Where is this unit used?
One parsec is about 3.26 light years. Proxima Centauri, the nearest star, sits at 1.30 parsecs — 4.24 light years away.
Other converters
Traditional units (geun, doe, majigi and so on) vary by region and product.