Solar system specifications and dimensions

How big is our Solar System?

Our Solar System is staggeringly big in human terms. If you look through a small telescope at the bright shape of Saturn, you will see a planet that is well over a billion kilometres away. To travel that distance on Earth, you'd need to go all the way around the globe nearly 800,000 times.

How many planets are there in the Solar System?

Our solar system has eight planets, and five officially recognized dwarf planets. Which planet is biggest? Which is smallest? What is the order of the planets as we move out from the Sun? This is a simple guide to the sizes of planets based on the equatorial diameter – or width – at the equator of each planet.

What is a solar panel size?

When discussing solar panels, the term “size” can be confusing because it refers to electrical capacity rather than physical dimensions. Solar panel size is measured in watts (W) and indicates how much electricity the panel can produce under standard test conditions.

What are the sizes of planets based on the equatorial diameter?

This is a simple guide to the sizes of planets based on the equatorial diameter – or width – at the equator of each planet. Each planet's width is compared to Earth's equatorial diameter, which is about 7,926 miles (12,756 kilometers). At the bottom of the page, find a handy list that shows the order of the planets, from the Sun outward.