# How far is Mars from Earth?

Between about 0.37 and 2.68 astronomical units depending on when you ask, a range of seven to one. See both planets at today's positions in a 3D model.

## There is no single answer

Mars and Earth are both moving, on orbits of different sizes and different periods, so the distance between them is never the same twice. It runs from roughly 0.37 astronomical units when they pass close, about 56 million kilometres, out to roughly 2.68 au when they are on opposite sides of the Sun, about 400 million. That is a range of more than seven to one, which is why a page that quotes one number is answering a different question from the one you asked.

## Why the close approaches vary too

Earth and Mars line up on the same side of the Sun roughly every 26 months, but not at the same distance each time, because Mars's orbit is noticeably out of round. When they meet with Mars near its closest point to the Sun the gap is much smaller than when they meet with Mars near its furthest. Missions are launched around the favourable ones.

## Seeing it instead of reading it

The model draws both planets from published JPL orbital elements, so moving the date shows the gap opening and closing rather than describing it. Switch to Accurate mode and the distances are true to scale, which is when the emptiness between them stops being an abstraction.

See it in the model: https://astro.observer/orrery/?body=mars

Sources:
- JPL, approximate positions of the planets: https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/approx_pos.html
- NASA, Mars facts: https://science.nasa.gov/mars/facts/

Gallery: https://astro.observer/