Convert Light Year to Kilometer
Use this free converter to change light years (ly) into kilometers (km). Light year and kilometer both measure length. As a quick reference, 1 ly equals 9.4607e+12 km, and 1 km equals 1.0570e-13 ly.
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Kilometer (km)
9.4607e+12
1 ly = 9.4607e+12 km
Length conversion table
| Light Year | Kilometer |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 94607000000 |
| 0.1 | 946070000000 |
| 0.5 | 4.7304e+12 |
| 1 | 9.4607e+12 |
| 2 | 1.8921e+13 |
| 3 | 2.8382e+13 |
| 5 | 4.7304e+13 |
| 10 | 9.4607e+13 |
| 20 | 1.8921e+14 |
| 25 | 2.3652e+14 |
| 50 | 4.7304e+14 |
| 100 | 9.4607e+14 |
| 1,000 | 9.4607e+15 |
How to convert Light Year to Kilometer
Multiply the light year value by 9.4607e+12 to get kilometers.
- Enter the number of light years you want to convert.
- The converter instantly shows the equivalent value in kilometers.
- Worked example: 15 ly × 9.4607e+12 = 1.4191e+14 km.
- Use the swap button to reverse the conversion (kilometer to light year).
About these units
Light Year (ly)
- Definition
- A light-year (ly) is the distance light travels in one year in a vacuum, about 9.46 trillion kilometers.
- History
- The concept arose in the 19th century as astronomers sought an intuitive way to express the vast distances between stars.
- Current use
- Light-years express distances to stars and galaxies in astronomy and popular science.
Kilometer (km)
- Definition
- A kilometer (km) is 1,000 meters and is the metric unit used for measuring longer distances such as roads and travel.
- History
- It entered use with the metric system in the 1790s, combining the SI prefix "kilo-" (thousand) with the meter.
- Current use
- Most of the world expresses road distances and speed limits in kilometers; the main exceptions are the United States and the United Kingdom, which still use miles.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilometers are in a light year?
There are 9.4607e+12 km in 1 ly. To convert, multiply the number of light years by 9.4607e+12.
How do I convert light years to kilometers?
Multiply the light year value by 9.4607e+12 to get kilometers. For example, 10 ly = 9.4607e+13 km.
Is this light year-to-kilometer converter free?
Yes. This converter is completely free, runs entirely in your browser, and requires no sign-up. Your inputs never leave your device.
Convert Light Year to other length units
| Unit | 1 Light Year equals |
|---|---|
| Meter (m) | 9.4607e+15 m |
| Kilometer (km) | 9.4607e+12 km |
| Centimeter (cm) | 9.4607e+17 cm |
| Millimeter (mm) | 9.4607e+18 mm |
| Micrometer (µm) | 9.4607e+21 µm |
| Nanometer (nm) | 9.4607e+24 nm |
| Mile (mi) | 5.8786e+12 mi |
| Yard (yd) | 1.0346e+16 yd |
| Foot (ft) | 3.1039e+16 ft |
| Inch (in) | 3.7247e+17 in |
| Nautical Mile (nmi) | 5.1084e+12 nmi |