Earth–Moon distance
384,400 km - Distance; average.
The Earth–Moon distance is the average space between the centres of the Earth and the Moon.
Average centre-to-centre distance. The Moon’s orbit is not a circle.
NASA — Earth and Moon by the numbersEarth–Moon distance vs Earth–Sun distance: length comparison
The Earth–Sun distance is about 389 times the Earth–Moon distance. Selected basis: an average value for Earth–Moon distance; approximate values.
- Earth–Moon distance
- Distance
- Earth–Sun distance
- Distance
Earth–Moon distance
384,400 kmDistance
0 - shared origin
The ring marks the true-scale position of the Earth–Moon distance; it does not show its width. Only the inset is enlarged (×56).
Earth–Sun distance
1 AUDistance
0 - shared origin
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions. A ruler represents the selected distance or a measurement not visible in this view.
In perspective389 times
Measurements, assumptions & sources
Earth–Sun distance
1 AU - Distance; definition.
The Earth–Sun distance, or astronomical unit, is the standard measure of separation between Earth and the Sun used in astronomy.
One astronomical unit is exactly 149,597,870,700 m. It is a useful Earth–Sun orbital scale, not the separation at every instant. Light takes about 8 minutes 19 seconds to cross it.
NIST — 2022 CODATA fundamental constants
Compare something else
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
SpaceEarth–Moon distance384,400 kmThe Earth–Moon distance is the average space between the centres of the Earth and the Moon.SpaceEarth–Sun distance1 AUThe Earth–Sun distance, or astronomical unit, is the standard measure of separation between Earth and the Sun used in astronomy.
SpaceEarth12,740 kmEarth is the rocky planet on which we live and the third planet from the Sun.
SpaceMoon3,475 kmThe Moon is Earth’s natural satellite and the brightest large object in Earth’s night sky.
SpaceSun1,391,000 kmThe Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System.SpaceNeptune’s orbital distance30.11 AUNeptune’s orbital distance is the average separation between Neptune and the Sun.Side by side
Another point of view.
Illustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scaleGot a good eye for scale?