Enter the solar mass and the solar luminosity into the Mass to Light Ratio Calculator. The calculator will evaluate and display the Mass to Light Ratio. 

Mass to Light Ratio Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Mass to Light Ratio. 

MLR = SM / SL
  • Where MLR is the Mass to Light Ratio ( )
  • SM is the solar mass 
  • SL is the solar luminosity 

To calculate the mass-to-light ratio, divide the solar mass by the solar luminosity.

How to Calculate Mass to Light Ratio?

The following example problems outline how to calculate Mass to Light Ratio.

Example Problem #1:

  1. First, determine the solar mass.
    • The solar mass is given as: 5.
  2. Next, determine the solar luminosity.
    • The solar luminosity is provided as: 1000.
  3. Finally, calculate the Mass to Light Ratio using the equation above: 

MLR = SM / SL

The values given above are inserted into the equation below and the solution is calculated:

MLR = 5 / 1000 = .005

Example Problem #2: 

For this problem, the variables required are provided below:

solar mass = 1000

solar luminosity = 2500201

Test your knowledge using the equation and check your answer with the calculator above.

MLR = SM / SL = ?