A parsec is about 3.26156 light-years.
Parsecs to US survey feet Converter — pc to ftUS
Convert Parsec (pc) to US survey foot (ftUS) using the exact conversion factor (1 parsec = 1.012359e+17 us survey foot). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Parsecs to US survey feet converter
Converter
Length Converter
Convert SI, imperial, US customary, astronomical, scientific, and historical length units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
The US survey foot is 1200/3937 meters and is retained for legacy land records.
Result = input x 3.08567758e+16 / 0.3048006096.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Parsecs to US survey feet
Parsec and US survey foot both measure length. Parsec is most often used for measuring distances to nearby stars via parallax.
Formula
us survey feet = parsecs × 1.012359e+17
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 parsec equals 3.085678e+16 base units, and 1 us survey foot equals 0.304800609601 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct parsec-to-us survey foot factor of 1.012359e+17.
Simple example
1 pc × 1.012359e+17 = 1.012359e+17 ftUS
1 parsec = 1.012359e+17 us survey feet.
Real-world example
10 pc × 1.012359e+17 = 1.012359e+18 ftUS
10 parsecs = 1.012359e+18 us survey feet.
Conversion table
| Parsec (pc) | US survey foot (ftUS) |
|---|---|
| 1 pc | 1.012359e+17 ftUS |
| 5 pc | 5.061797e+17 ftUS |
| 10 pc | 1.012359e+18 ftUS |
| 21.0975 pc | 2.135825e+18 ftUS |
| 42.195 pc | 4.27165e+18 ftUS |
| 100 pc | 1.012359e+19 ftUS |
Reverse conversion: US survey foot to Parsec
1.012359e+17 ftUS × 9.877915e-18 = 0.9999996182 pc
1.012359e+17 us survey feet = 0.9999996182 parsecs.
parsecs = us survey feet × 9.877915e-18
For a page dedicated to this direction, see US survey foot to Parsec.
Understanding the Parsec
Parsec (pc) measures astronomical distance. The distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond — approximately 3.26 light-years, or about 3.086 × 10¹⁶ meters. It is classified as a non-SI unit used in astronomy.
Where it's used: Standard distance unit throughout professional astronomy worldwide
Uses of the Parsec today
- Measuring distances to nearby stars via parallax
- Galactic and extragalactic distance scales in astrophysics research
History of the Parsec
The name is a portmanteau of 'parallax' and 'arcsecond,' reflecting how the unit is defined directly from the parallax method astronomers use to measure stellar distances: the tiny apparent shift in a nearby star's position as Earth orbits the Sun.
Historical origin. Parsec was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the US survey foot (ftUS)
The US survey foot is 1200/3937 meters and is retained for legacy land records.
Parsec — sources
- IAU (International Astronomical Union) — parsec definition — Standard astronomical definition of the parsec via stellar parallax.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many us survey feet are in 1 parsec?
1 parsec equals 1.012359e+17 us survey feet, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert parsec to us survey foot?
Multiply the parsec value by 1.012359e+17. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert us survey foot back to parsec?
Use the reverse factor: 1 us survey foot equals 9.877915e-18 parsecs. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a parsec?
Parsec (pc) measures astronomical distance. The distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond — approximately 3.26 light-years, or about 3.086 × 10¹⁶ meters. It is classified as a non-SI unit used in astronomy.
What is a us survey foot?
US survey foot (ftUS) is a unit of length.
Is the parsec to us survey foot conversion exact?
Yes. Both parsec and us survey foot are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1.012359e+17 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Where is the parsec still used today?
Standard distance unit throughout professional astronomy worldwide