1 light-second
299,800 kmLength · definition
The quantity is exact as entered. Comparisons use the clearly stated specimen, model or nominal measurement.
Length & distance
Just how long is 1 light-second?
Solar neighbourhood
1 light-s
299,790,000 mmetres
983,570,000 ftfeet
186,280 mimiles
0.002004 AUastronomical units
01
1 light-second299,800 kmLength · definition
02
Earth–Moon distance384,400 kmDistance · specified
Both marked spans share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its proportions; poses and surface detail are illustrative. A ruler represents the selected distance or unrolled circumference; it is not the physical size of the pictured body.
A little perspective
The distance of Earth–Moon distance is about 1.28 times the length of 1 light-second.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
1 light-second
The quantity is exact as entered. Comparisons use the clearly stated specimen, model or nominal measurement.
Earth–Moon distance
Average centre-to-centre distance. The Moon’s orbit is not a circle.
NASA — Earth and Moon by the numbers
The marked distance is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Measurement details
Why these numbers?
The visual compares length with distance. The records below preserve each value’s basis and caveats.
Earth–Moon distance
384,400 kmDistance · specified
Average centre-to-centre distance. The Moon’s orbit is not a circle.
- Comparing
- Length ↔ Distance
- Relative size
- Earth–Moon distance is larger on this measurement by a factor of about 1.28. Earth–Moon distance's selected measurement is approximately 28.2% greater than 1 light-second's.
How to read the visual
The labelled spans and stored measurements determine the scale; unmeasured illustration details do not.
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
A little smaller. A little larger.