Convert Astronomical Unit to Yard
Convert astronomical units to yards instantly. 1 astronomical unit = 1.636022e+11 yard — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Yard to Astronomical Unit converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Astronomical Unit
The astronomical unit (AU) is a unit of length equal to exactly 149,597,870,700 meters, approximately the average distance from Earth to the Sun. It is the fundamental unit for distance within the solar system.
The AU was originally defined as the semi-major axis of Earth's orbit. In 2012, IAU Resolution B2 redefined the AU as exactly 149,597,870,700 meters, severing its dependence on the actual fluctuating Earth–Sun distance.
AUs are used to express distances within the solar system (Mars: 1.5 AU, Pluto: ~40 AU at perihelion), exoplanet orbital radii, and other planetary-scale distances. Standard in planetary science and astronomy.
Original definition tied to Earth's orbit (Newton, 17th century); fixed at exactly 149,597,870,700 m by IAU Resolution B2 in 2012.
Yard
A yard is an Imperial and US customary unit of length equal to 3 feet or exactly 0.9144 meters. It is used for medium distances, particularly in athletics and fabric/textile measurement.
The yard's origin is contested but traditionally attributed to the length from the tip of King Henry I's nose to the end of his outstretched thumb. It was standardized in English law from the medieval period and definitively fixed at 0.9144 m exactly by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Yards are used in American football (10 yards for a first down), golf course distances, fabric and carpet sales in the US, and short-distance running events. The UK uses yards informally and on road signs for short distances.
Standardized in English law from the Middle Ages; fixed at 0.9144 m exactly by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Astronomical Unit to Yard conversion formula
The relationship between astronomical units and yards:
To convert astronomical units to yards, multiply the value in astronomical units by 1.636022e+11. To reverse, multiply yards by 6.112386e-12.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in yards updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Yard to Astronomical Unit converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert astronomical units to yards
- Write down the value in astronomical units (AU).
- Multiply that value by the factor 1.636022e+11.
- The product is the equivalent value in yards (yd).
- To reverse, multiply the yard value by 6.112386e-12.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 AU to yd:
1 × 1.636022e+11 = 1.636022e+11 yd
Example 2 — Convert 100 AU to yd:
100 × 1.636022e+11 = 1.636022e+13 yd
Astronomical Unit to Yard conversion table
Standard reference values for converting astronomical units to yards:
| Astronomical Unit [AU] | Yard [yd] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 1.636022e+9 |
| 0.1 | 1.636022e+10 |
| 1 | 1.636022e+11 |
| 2 | 3.272044e+11 |
| 3 | 4.908067e+11 |
| 4 | 6.544089e+11 |
| 5 | 8.180111e+11 |
| 10 | 1.636022e+12 |
| 20 | 3.272044e+12 |
| 30 | 4.908067e+12 |
| 40 | 6.544089e+12 |
| 50 | 8.180111e+12 |
| 100 | 1.636022e+13 |
| 500 | 8.180111e+13 |
| 1000 | 1.636022e+14 |
Frequently asked questions
How many yards is 1 astronomical unit?
How do I convert astronomical units to yards?
How do I convert yards back to astronomical units?
How many yards is 100 astronomical units?
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Imperial / US Customary (4 units)
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Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 AU = 1.636022e+11 yd) verified against the following authoritative sources:
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure 9th ed.)
Official BIPM publication defining the seven SI base units (including the meter) and the rules for their use. The global authority on units of measurement.
- NIST — Guide to the SI
US National Institute of Standards and Technology reference covering the SI base and derived units with definitions and usage rules for US technical practice.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
Detailed NIST guide covering exact conversion factors between SI and US customary units along with formatting and rounding conventions.
- NIST — Refinement of values for the yard and pound (Federal Register 1959)
The treaty (signed by US
- International Astronomical Union — System of Astronomical Constants
The IAU defines astronomical units including the AU (149597870700 m exactly) light-year and parsec used in astronomy and astrophysics.