Convert Light years to centimeters
1 light year = 9.460730e17 centimeters · cm = ly × 946,073,047,300,000,000
When you need this conversion
This conversion goes from light years, the astronomical distance light travels in a year, to centimeters, the everyday metric unit for body measurements, clothing, and product dimensions. Both measure the same physical quantity, so the conversion is exact — the difference is which unit your source, tool, or region happens to use.
Light years to centimeters conversion table
| Light years (ly) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|---|
| 1 ly | 9.460730e17 cm |
| 2 ly | 1.892146e18 cm |
| 3 ly | 2.838219e18 cm |
| 5 ly | 4.730365e18 cm |
| 10 ly | 9.460730e18 cm |
| 15 ly | 1.419110e19 cm |
| 20 ly | 1.892146e19 cm |
| 25 ly | 2.365183e19 cm |
| 50 ly | 4.730365e19 cm |
| 75 ly | 7.095548e19 cm |
| 100 ly | 9.460730e19 cm |
| 250 ly | 2.365183e20 cm |
| 500 ly | 4.730365e20 cm |
| 1,000 ly | 9.460730e20 cm |
The formula
cm = ly × 946,073,047,300,000,000Because 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
Centimeters to light years →Related length conversions
- Inches to centimeters
- Feet to centimeters
- Millimeters to micrometers
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- Kilometers to meters
- Feet to yards
- Yards to feet
- Micrometers to millimeters
- Millimeters to centimeters
- Meters to centimeters
Frequently asked questions
- How many centimeters are in a light year?
- There are 9.460730e17 centimeters in 1 light year. The formula is cm = ly × 946,073,047,300,000,000.
- How do you convert light years to centimeters?
- Use the formula cm = ly × 946,073,047,300,000,000. For example, 10 light years equals 9.460730e18 centimeters.
- Is the light years to centimeters conversion exact?
- Yes. Light years and centimeters are both units of length, related by an exact defined factor. Displayed results are rounded for readability.
- What is ly short for?
- ly is the standard symbol for light year. cm is the symbol for centimeter.