Kilometres to Light years Converter
This converter changes a distance in kilometres into light years, the huge unit astronomers use to describe distances between stars and galaxies. Enter any value in kilometres and the tool instantly returns the equivalent in light years, using the exact factor of 1.057001e-13 light years per kilometre. The result box also shows the two reference figures side by side, 1 kilometre equals 1.057001e-13 light years, and 1 light year equals 9.460730e+12 kilometres, so you can see the relationship in both directions without doing the sums yourself. Below the calculator you will find the formula written out (multiply kilometres by 1.057001e-13, or light years by 9.460730e+12 to reverse it), a worked example converting 10 kilometres, and a quick-reference table showing common values from 1 to 100 kilometres already converted. The factor is drawn from the standard scientific definitions of the metre and the light year, so the underlying conversion is exact; the figures on screen are rounded for readability. This is useful for students working through astronomy or physics homework, teachers building examples, writers and journalists checking scale, or anyone curious how a familiar distance like a marathon or a road trip compares with the vast distances used in space. Because a kilometre is such a tiny fraction of a light year, expect the answer in scientific notation for most everyday distances.
The formula
Multiply kilometres by 1.057001e-13 to get light years. In symbols, ly = km × 1.057001e-13. To go the other way, multiply light years by 9.460730e+12 to get kilometres.
Worked example
Convert 10 kilometres to light years: 10 × 1.057001e-13 = 1.057001e-12 light years.
Quick reference
| Kilometres | Light years |
|---|---|
| 1 km | 1.057001e-13 ly |
| 2 km | 2.114002e-13 ly |
| 5 km | 5.285004e-13 ly |
| 10 km | 1.057001e-12 ly |
| 25 km | 2.642502e-12 ly |
| 50 km | 5.285004e-12 ly |
| 100 km | 1.057001e-11 ly |
Frequently asked questions
How many light years are in one kilometre?
One kilometre equals 1.057001e-13 light years. Multiply the number of kilometres by 1.057001e-13 to convert.
What is the formula to convert kilometres to light years?
Kilometres times 1.057001e-13 equals light years. To reverse it, multiply light years by 9.460730e+12 to get kilometres.
Is the km to ly conversion exact?
The factor comes from the standard definitions of the metre and the international inch (0.0254 m exactly), so the underlying conversion is exact. Displayed results are rounded for readability.
Who this converter is for
This converter is for students, tradespeople, travellers and anyone who needs to change kilometres into light years quickly and accurately.
What this converter assumes
- You enter a length in kilometres.
- The factor used is 1.057001e-13 light years per kilometre.
- Results are rounded for display.
Sources
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