Convert Kilometers to light years
1 kilometer = 1.057001e-13 light years · ly = km ÷ 9,460,730,473,000
When you need this conversion
This conversion goes from kilometers, the metric unit for road distances and travel, to light years, the astronomical distance light travels in a year. Both measure the same physical quantity, so the conversion is exact — the difference is which unit your source, tool, or region happens to use.
Kilometers to light years conversion table
| Kilometers (km) | Light years (ly) |
|---|---|
| 1 km | 1.057001e-13 ly |
| 2 km | 2.114002e-13 ly |
| 3 km | 3.171003e-13 ly |
| 5 km | 5.285004e-13 ly |
| 10 km | 1.057001e-12 ly |
| 15 km | 1.585501e-12 ly |
| 20 km | 2.114002e-12 ly |
| 25 km | 2.642502e-12 ly |
| 50 km | 5.285004e-12 ly |
| 75 km | 7.927506e-12 ly |
| 100 km | 1.057001e-11 ly |
| 250 km | 2.642502e-11 ly |
| 500 km | 5.285004e-11 ly |
| 1,000 km | 1.057001e-10 ly |
The formula
ly = km ÷ 9,460,730,473,000Because both units measure length, the conversion is a single multiplication by a fixed factor. That factor never changes, so the result is exact.
Convert the other way
Light years to kilometers →Related length conversions
- Kilometers to meters
- Millimeters to micrometers
- Centimeters to inches
- Centimeters to feet
- Meters to kilometers
- Inches to centimeters
- Feet to centimeters
- Feet to yards
- Yards to feet
- Micrometers to millimeters
- Millimeters to light years
- Centimeters to light years
Frequently asked questions
- How many light years are in a kilometer?
- There are 1.057001e-13 light years in 1 kilometer. The formula is ly = km ÷ 9,460,730,473,000.
- How do you convert kilometers to light years?
- Use the formula ly = km ÷ 9,460,730,473,000. For example, 10 kilometers equals 1.057001e-12 light years.
- Is the kilometers to light years conversion exact?
- Yes. Kilometers and light years are both units of length, related by an exact defined factor. Displayed results are rounded for readability.
- What is km short for?
- km is the standard symbol for kilometer (also written as kilometres). ly is the symbol for light year.