Parsec to Light Year Converter
Convert Parsec (pc) to Light Year (ly) instantly. 1 pc = 3.261564 ly.
Length Converter
31 units available
1 pc = 3.261564 ly
Formula:
ly = pc × 3.2615637772With your value: 1 pc = 3.26156378 ly
How big is that?
Everyday references on a logarithmic scale, all expressed in parsec so you can sanity-check the result.
Other Parsec to Light Year conversions
Parsec to Light Year Conversion Table
| Parsec (pc) | Light Year (ly) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.630782 |
| 1 | 3.261564 |
| 2 | 6.523128 |
| 5 | 16.307819 |
| 10 | 32.615638 |
| 15 | 48.923457 |
| 20 | 65.231276 |
| 25 | 81.539094 |
| 50 | 163.078189 |
| 100 | 326.156378 |
| 250 | 815.390944 |
| 500 | 1,630.781889 |
| 1000 | 3,261.563777 |
Light Year to Parsec Conversion Table
| Light Year (ly) | Parsec (pc) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.153301 |
| 1 | 0.306601 |
| 2 | 0.613203 |
| 5 | 1.533007 |
| 10 | 3.066014 |
| 15 | 4.599021 |
| 20 | 6.132028 |
| 25 | 7.665035 |
| 50 | 15.33007 |
| 100 | 30.660139 |
| 250 | 76.650348 |
| 500 | 153.300697 |
| 1000 | 306.601394 |
Where these values come from
Every factor on this page is traced to the document that defines it. See the full provenance dataset or our methodology.
Parsec (pc)
Length
One parsec is 648 000/π astronomical units ≈ 3.085 677 581 × 10¹⁶ m.
Source: IAU Resolution B2 (2012) — definition of the astronomical unit; IAU B2 (2015) nominal values
International Astronomical Union · Reviewed 2026-07-01
Light Year (ly)
Length
A light-year is the distance light travels in one Julian year: 9 460 730 472 580 800 m exactly.
Source: IAU Resolution B2 (2012) — definition of the astronomical unit; IAU B2 (2015) nominal values
International Astronomical Union · Reviewed 2026-07-01
How to Convert Parsec to Light Year
To convert from Parsec (pc) to Light Year (ly), multiply the value by 3.2615637772.
Formula: ly = pc × 3.2615637772
Reverse: pc = ly × 0.3066013938
Step-by-Step Example
- Start with your value in Parsec. For example: 5 pc
- Multiply by the conversion factor: 5 x 3.2615637772
- The result is: 16.307819 ly
About Parsec
The parsec is the distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond, about 3.26 light years. Professional astronomers prefer it to the light year.
Common uses: astrophysics, star catalogues, cosmology.
About Light Year
A light year is the distance light travels through a vacuum in one Julian year — exactly 9,460,730,472,580,800 metres. It is a unit of distance, not of time.
Fun Fact: Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to the Sun, sits about 4.25 light years away.
Common uses: astronomy, popular science, education.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Light Year are in 1 Parsec?
There are exactly 3.2615637772 Light Year in 1 Parsec. This means the conversion factor from Parsec to Light Year is 3.2615637772.
What is the formula to convert Parsec to Light Year?
The formula to convert Parsec to Light Year is: ly = pc × 3.2615637772. For example, to convert 10 Parsec to Light Year, you would multiply 10 by 3.2615637772.
What is a Parsec?
The parsec is the distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond, about 3.26 light years. Professional astronomers prefer it to the light year.
What is a Light Year?
A light year is the distance light travels through a vacuum in one Julian year — exactly 9,460,730,472,580,800 metres. It is a unit of distance, not of time.
What are the common uses of Parsec?
The Parsec is commonly used in astrophysics, star catalogues, cosmology.
Related Length Conversions
Cite this page
UnitConvertLab. (2026). Parsec to Light Year converter. UnitConvertLab. Retrieved from https://unitconvertlab.com/convert/parsec-to-light_year