Distance to Proxima Centauri
This is the distance from the Sun to Proxima Centauri, the closest known star to our Solar System.
How big is it?
4.25 ly · distance
Distance · approximate
A little perspective
Distance to Proxima Centauri vs Distance to Sirius: length comparison
The distance to Sirius is about 2.02 times the distance to Proxima Centauri.
This is the distance from the Sun to Proxima Centauri, the closest known star to our Solar System.
This is the distance from the Sun to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
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 Proxima Centauri
Distance: 4.25 ly; approximate.
Rounded NASA nearby-star distance anchor, 4.25 light-years. The Earth is not at the centre of the galaxy.
NASA — Our nearest celestial neighbour
The marked distance is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Distance to Sirius
Distance: 8.6 ly; rounded reference.
A rounded 8.6 light-year distance example for the bright nearby star.
Defined examples — our methodology
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 4.25 ly
We compare the distance to Proxima Centauri. This is an estimate; check the notes for its rounding and uncertainty.
Rounded NASA nearby-star distance anchor, 4.25 light-years. The Earth is not at the centre of the galaxy.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.25 ly | Not recorded | approximate |
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 spaceOort Cloud3.163 lyDiameterThe Oort Cloud is a distant, roughly spherical shell of icy objects believed to surround the Solar System and supply long-period comets.Nearest higher valuePlanets, moons and spaceDistance to Sirius8.6 lyDistanceThis is the distance from the Sun to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- NASA — Our nearest celestial neighbourRounded distance of 4.25 light-years to Proxima Centauri.
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 Sirius8.6 lyThis is the distance from the Sun to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.SpaceOort Cloud3.163 lyThe Oort Cloud is a distant, roughly spherical shell of icy objects believed to surround the Solar System and supply long-period comets.SpaceDistance to the galactic centre7.972 kpcThis is the distance from the Solar System to the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.SpaceNeptune’s orbital distance30.11 AUNeptune’s orbital distance is the average separation between Neptune and the Sun.
SpacePlanetary Solar System60.22 AUThe Solar System is the collection of the Sun and all objects gravitationally bound to it, including planets, moons, and smaller bodies.