Convert Light Year to Meter
Use this free converter to change light years (ly) into meters (m). Light year and meter both measure length. As a quick reference, 1 ly equals 9.4607e+15 m, and 1 m equals 1.0570e-16 ly.
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Meter (m)
9.4607e+15
1 ly = 9.4607e+15 m
Length conversion table
| Light Year | Meter |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 9.4607e+13 |
| 0.1 | 9.4607e+14 |
| 0.5 | 4.7304e+15 |
| 1 | 9.4607e+15 |
| 2 | 1.8921e+16 |
| 3 | 2.8382e+16 |
| 5 | 4.7304e+16 |
| 10 | 9.4607e+16 |
| 20 | 1.8921e+17 |
| 25 | 2.3652e+17 |
| 50 | 4.7304e+17 |
| 100 | 9.4607e+17 |
| 1,000 | 9.4607e+18 |
How to convert Light Year to Meter
Multiply the light year value by 9.4607e+15 to get meters.
- Enter the number of light years you want to convert.
- The converter instantly shows the equivalent value in meters.
- Worked example: 15 ly × 9.4607e+15 = 1.4191e+17 m.
- Use the swap button to reverse the conversion (meter 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.
Meter (m)
- Definition
- The meter (m) is the SI base unit of length, defined as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
- History
- Introduced in France in 1793 as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole, it was later fixed by a platinum bar and, since 1983, by the speed of light.
- Current use
- The meter is the standard unit of length in nearly every country and underpins science, engineering, construction, and sport worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
How many meters are in a light year?
There are 9.4607e+15 m in 1 ly. To convert, multiply the number of light years by 9.4607e+15.
How do I convert light years to meters?
Multiply the light year value by 9.4607e+15 to get meters. For example, 10 ly = 9.4607e+16 m.
Is this light year-to-meter 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 |