Distance from Earth to Mars today
| Distance from Earth | 1.3357 AU |
|---|---|
| In kilometres | 199.8 million km |
| In miles | 124.2 million miles |
| Light-time | 11 min 07 s |
| Trend | Approaching at 14.7 km/s (1.27 million km per day) |
| Distance from the Sun | 1.6065 AU · 240.3 million km |
| Closest in the next 24 months | · 0.6779 AU |
| Farthest in the next 24 months | · 2.4121 AU |
One astronomical unit (AU) is the mean distance from Earth to the Sun, 149,597,870.7 km. Distances are measured between the centres of the two planets.
Distance over the next two years
Mars is closest around opposition, every 26 months, and the minimum itself changes a lot from one opposition to the next because its orbit is markedly elliptical. Over the years the distance stays between about 55 and 401 million km (34 and 249 million miles).
Next closest approaches of Mars
Mars is next closest to Earth on February 20, 2027, at 0.6779 AU (101.4 million km, 63.0 million miles). The table lists every closest approach until 2037.
| Date | Distance | Kilometres | Miles | Light-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6779 AU | 101.4 million km | 63.0 million miles | 5 min 38 s | |
| 0.6472 AU | 96.8 million km | 60.2 million miles | 5 min 23 s | |
| 0.5534 AU | 82.8 million km | 51.4 million miles | 4 min 36 s | |
| 0.4230 AU | 63.3 million km | 39.3 million miles | 3 min 31 s | |
| 0.3804 AU | 56.9 million km | 35.4 million miles | 3 min 10 s | |
| 0.4936 AU | 73.8 million km | 45.9 million miles | 4 min 06 s |
The closest approach falls within a few days of the opposition of Mars, not exactly on it, because the two orbits are ellipses.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Mars from Earth right now?
On November 12, 2026, Mars is 1.3357 AU from Earth: 199.8 million km, or 124.2 million miles. Its light takes 11 min 07 s to reach us, and it is approaching at 14.7 km/s.
How long does light take to travel from Mars to Earth?
On November 12, 2026, 11 min 07 s. A radio signal takes the same time, since it also travels at the speed of light.
When is Mars closest to Earth?
Mars is next closest to Earth on February 20, 2027, at 0.6779 AU (101.4 million km, 63.0 million miles). Mars is closest around opposition, every 26 months, and the minimum itself changes a lot from one opposition to the next because its orbit is markedly elliptical.