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 away
Distance · approximate
A little perspective
Distance to Sirius is about 2.02 times larger on this measurement.
Distance to Sirius: This is the distance from the Sun to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Distance to Proxima Centauri
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
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.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 4.25 ly
For comparison, this page uses distance. This is labelled approximate; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions can vary.
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 named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Distance to Proxima Centauri dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.25 ly | Not recorded | approximate |
Around this scale
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These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · 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.Nearest higher value · SpaceDistance to Sirius8.6 lyThis is the distance from the Sun to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.Sources and method
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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.