Astronomical unit to light year au converter

The Astronomical unit to light year au converter computes astronomical unit to light year au from the relation ly = AU x 0.00001581250740982066. It takes a single input (astronomical unit in AU) and returns the light year au in ly. Because this is a pure mathematical or physical formula rather than a jurisdiction-specific rule, the result never changes over time: the same inputs always produce the same answer, so you can rely on it whether you are checking homework, sizing a design, or sanity-checking another tool. Enter your values in the fields below and the result updates instantly; you can also share a permalink that pre-fills the exact calculation, which is useful for teaching, reports, or collaboration. For example, with astronomical unit = 10 AU, the light year au works out to 0.000158 ly, and the worked example further down the page shows every step so you can follow the arithmetic and reproduce it by hand. The method is the standard form documented by NIST SP 811 / BIPM SI, and the figure above each result carries the date it was last verified. This tool is general information and is not a substitute for professional engineering, medical, financial, or scientific advice; always check critical results against the primary source and your own judgement.

With astronomical unit = 10 AU, the result is 0.000158 ly.

Formula: ly = AU x 0.00001581250740982066. Source: NIST SP 811 / BIPM SI, as at 2026-06-22.

light year au0.000158 ly

Applies to: any numeric inputs. Method source: NIST SP 811 / BIPM SI, checked 2026-06-22.

The formula

ly = AU x 0.00001581250740982066

Worked example

With astronomical unit = 10 AU:

  1. ly = AU x 0.00001581250740982066
  2. light year au = 0.000158 ly

This worked example is one of the automated golden-value tests this calculator must pass before it can publish.

What this assumes

  • Inputs are real numbers in the units shown.
  • The result is the exact value of ly = AU x 0.00001581250740982066; general information, not professional advice.

Frequently asked questions

What formula does this use?

ly = AU x 0.00001581250740982066, the standard form documented by NIST SP 811 / BIPM SI.

Does the result ever change over time?

No. This is a pure formula with no external rate, so the same inputs always give the same result.

Official sources and verification

Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 2026-06-22. See our methodology. General information, not professional advice.