A desktop publishing point is 1/72 inch.
Points to Parsecs Converter — pt to pc
Convert Point (pt) to Parsec (pc) using the exact conversion factor (1 point = 1.143275e-20 parsec). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Points to Parsecs 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.
A parsec is about 3.26156 light-years.
Result = input x 0.0003527777778 / 3.08567758e+16.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Points to Parsecs
Point and Parsec both measure length. Specifically: A desktop publishing point is 1/72 inch, and a parsec is about 3.26156 light-years.
Formula
parsecs = points × 1.143275e-20
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 point equals 0.0003527777778 base units, and 1 parsec equals 3.085678e+16 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct point-to-parsec factor of 1.143275e-20.
Simple example
1 pt × 1.143275e-20 = 1.143275e-20 pc
1 point = 1.143275e-20 parsecs.
Real-world example
10 pt × 1.143275e-20 = 1.143275e-19 pc
10 points = 1.143275e-19 parsecs.
Conversion table
| Point (pt) | Parsec (pc) |
|---|---|
| 1 pt | 1.143275e-20 pc |
| 5 pt | 5.716375e-20 pc |
| 10 pt | 1.143275e-19 pc |
| 21.0975 pt | 2.412024e-19 pc |
| 42.195 pt | 4.824049e-19 pc |
| 100 pt | 1.143275e-18 pc |
Reverse conversion: Parsec to Point
1.143275e-20 pc × 8.746803e+19 = 1.000000073 pt
1.143275e-20 parsecs = 1.000000073 points.
points = parsecs × 8.746803e+19
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Parsec to Point.
Understanding the Point (pt)
A desktop publishing point is 1/72 inch.
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.
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 parsecs are in 1 point?
1 point equals 1.143275e-20 parsecs, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert point to parsec?
Multiply the point value by 1.143275e-20. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert parsec back to point?
Use the reverse factor: 1 parsec equals 8.746803e+19 points. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a point?
Point (pt) is a unit of length.
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.
Is the point to parsec conversion exact?
Yes. Both point and parsec are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1.143275e-20 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.