How to convert parsecs to light years
1 parsec is equal to 3.261563777 light years, and 1 light year is equal to 0.3066013938 parsecs. To convert, multiply by the conversion factor:
light years = parsecs × 3.261563777
light years = parsecs ÷ 0.3066013938Example: convert 15 pc to ly: 15 × 3.261563777 = 48.92345666 ly.
Parsec to Light Year conversion table
| Parsec (pc) | Light Year (ly) |
|---|---|
| 0.01 pc | 0.03261563777 ly |
| 0.1 pc | 0.3261563777 ly |
| 1 pc | 3.261563777 ly |
| 2 pc | 6.523127554 ly |
| 3 pc | 9.784691332 ly |
| 5 pc | 16.30781889 ly |
| 10 pc | 32.61563777 ly |
| 20 pc | 65.23127554 ly |
| 50 pc | 163.0781889 ly |
| 100 pc | 326.1563777 ly |
| 250 pc | 815.3909443 ly |
| 500 pc | 1,630.781889 ly |
| 1,000 pc | 3,261.563777 ly |
About the parsec
A parsec is the distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond: about 3.26 light-years (3.086 × 10¹⁶ m). Astronomers use it for distances to stars.
Symbol: pc · 1 pc = 3.085677581 × 10¹⁶ m · Category: Astronomical
About the light year
A light-year is the distance light travels in a vacuum in one Julian year (365.25 days): about 9.46 trillion km. The nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, is about 4.37 light-years away.
Symbol: ly · 1 ly = 9.460730473 × 10¹⁵ m · Category: Astronomical