What is the average distance of the Moon from Earth?

Answer: 238,855 miles (384,400 km)

The Moon, Earth’s only natural satellite, orbits our planet at an average distance of about 238,855 miles, or approximately 384,400 kilometers. This value is an average because the Moon does not travel in a perfect circle around Earth. Instead, it follows an elliptical orbit, which means its distance varies slightly as it moves closer and farther away during each revolution.

At its closest point, known as perigee, the Moon is about 363,300 km from Earth. At its farthest point, called apogee, the distance increases to roughly 405,500 km. The commonly cited figure of 384,400 km represents the mean distance between these two extremes. This average is essential in astronomy, navigation, and space science because it provides a consistent baseline for calculations such as orbital mechanics, satellite tracking, and planning lunar missions.

The distance between Earth and the Moon has shaped human understanding of space since ancient times. It influences the timing of tides, the visibility of lunar phases, and the duration of solar and lunar eclipses. Modern technology, including laser ranging experiments left on the lunar surface by Apollo astronauts, has allowed scientists to measure this distance with incredible precision—accurate to just a few centimeters.

Knowing the Moon’s average distance also helps explain why it appears the same size as the Sun in our sky, despite the Sun being nearly 400 times larger. This remarkable alignment makes solar eclipses possible. Thus, the figure of 238,855 miles (384,400 km) is not just a number but a cornerstone of Earth–Moon science, linking astronomy, physics, and our daily lives.