Local Group
The Local Group is a collection of galaxies that includes the Milky Way, Andromeda, and several smaller galaxies.
How big is it?
3.066 Mpc across
Diameter · rounded reference
A little perspective
Local Group vs Distance to Andromeda: length comparison
The diameter of the Local Group is about 4 times the distance to Andromeda.
The Local Group is a collection of galaxies that includes the Milky Way, Andromeda, and several smaller galaxies.
This is the distance between the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy, our nearest large galactic neighbour.
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 +
Local Group
Diameter: 3.066 Mpc; rounded reference.
A rounded 10 million light-year span for the neighbourhood of galaxies. Galaxy groups have no solid edge.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked diameter is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Distance to Andromeda
Distance: 766.5 kpc; approximate.
Approximate distance to our large galactic neighbour. This measures separation, not the galaxy’s diameter.
The marked distance 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 3.066 Mpc
We compare the diameter of the Local Group. This is a rounded comparison value; check the notes for its source and scope.
A rounded 10 million light-year span for the neighbourhood of galaxies. Galaxy groups have no solid edge.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.066 Mpc | 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 Andromeda766.5 kpcDistanceThis is the distance between the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy, our nearest large galactic neighbour.
Nearest higher valuePlanets, moons and spaceDistance to the Virgo Cluster16.56 MpcDistanceThis is the distance from the Milky Way to the Virgo Cluster, a nearby large cluster of galaxies.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
More ways to see it
Curated comparisons
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.SpaceDistance to Andromeda766.5 kpcThis is the distance between the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy, our nearest large galactic neighbour.SpaceDistance to the Virgo Cluster16.56 MpcThis is the distance from the Milky Way to the Virgo Cluster, a nearby large cluster of galaxies.SpaceAndromeda galaxy79.72 kpcThe Andromeda galaxy, also called M31, is the nearest large spiral galaxy to the Milky Way.
SpaceLaniakea-scale region159.4 MpcLaniakea is a vast region of interconnected galaxy clusters defined by shared gravitational flows.SpaceDistance to the galactic centre7.972 kpcThis is the distance from the Solar System to the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.