Distance to the galactic centre
This is the distance from the Solar System to the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.
How big is it?
7.972 kpc · distance
Distance · rounded reference
A little perspective
Distance to the galactic centre vs Milky Way: length comparison
The diameter of the Milky Way is about 3.85 times the distance to the galactic centre.
This is the distance from the Solar System to the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.
The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy containing hundreds of billions of stars, including our Solar System.
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.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Distance to the galactic centre
Distance: 7.972 kpc; rounded reference.
A rounded 26,000 light-year reference from the Solar System to the Milky Way’s centre.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked distance is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Milky Way
Diameter: 30.66 kpc; approximate.
A rounded 100,000 light-year span of the stellar disk. Faint stars and the dark-matter halo extend farther; galaxies have no crisp rim.
The marked diameter is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 7.972 kpc
We compare the distance to the galactic centre. This is a rounded comparison value; check the notes for its source and scope.
A rounded 26,000 light-year reference from the Solar System to the Milky Way’s centre.
The marked horizontal span follows the measured feature, not the edges of the image. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.972 kpc | Not recorded | rounded reference |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valuePlanets, moons and spaceDistance to Sirius8.6 lyDistanceThis is the distance from the Sun to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
Nearest higher valuePlanets, moons and spaceMilky Way30.66 kpcDiameterThe Milky Way is a spiral galaxy containing hundreds of billions of stars, including our Solar System.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
SpaceEarth–Sun distance1 AUThe Earth–Sun distance, or astronomical unit, is the standard measure of separation between Earth and the Sun used in astronomy.SpaceMilky Way30.66 kpcThe Milky Way is a spiral galaxy containing hundreds of billions of stars, including our Solar System.
SpaceObservable universe28.21 GpcThe observable universe is the region from which light or other signals have had time to reach us since the early universe.SpaceAndromeda galaxy79.72 kpcThe Andromeda galaxy, also called M31, is the nearest large spiral galaxy to the Milky Way.SpaceDistance to Andromeda766.5 kpcThis is the distance between the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy, our nearest large galactic neighbour.
SpaceLocal Group3.066 MpcThe Local Group is a collection of galaxies that includes the Milky Way, Andromeda, and several smaller galaxies.
SpaceDistance to the Virgo Cluster16.56 MpcThis is the distance from the Milky Way to the Virgo Cluster, a nearby large cluster of galaxies.SpaceDistance to Sirius8.6 lyThis is the distance from the Sun to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.