how long did the empire last in star wars

The Galactic Empire in Star Wars officially lasted about 24 years , from 19 BBY to 5 ABY in current canon.

Quick Scoop: Canon Timeline

• The Empire is founded in 19 BBY , when Palpatine turns the Galactic Republic into the first Galactic Empire at the end of the Clone Wars.

• It is de facto broken by the Rebel victory and Palpatine’s death at Endor in 4 ABY (Return of the Jedi), but remnants keep fighting.

• The Empire is formally ended after the Battle of Jakku in 5 ABY , when surrender terms (the Galactic Concordance) are signed.

So, in-universe canon answer to “how long did the Empire last in Star Wars” :
➡️ From 19 BBY to 5 ABY — roughly 24 years of official rule.

Why People Sometimes Say “20-ish Years”

Fans often remember that A New Hope is set about 19 years after Revenge of the Sith , meaning the Empire has already ruled for nearly two decades when Luke first appears.

If you only count up to the Emperor’s death in Return of the Jedi, that’s about 23 years , which is why some sources or fans quote 23 years instead of 24.

Legends vs Canon (Quick Note)

In Legends (old Expanded Universe), details vary, but the basic idea is similar: Empire founded in 19 BBY and then slowly fragments after Endor rather than vanishing overnight.

Canon today, though, locks in 19 BBY → 5 ABY as the core “Imperial Era” of galactic government.

TL;DR: The Galactic Empire’s reign in Star Wars canon runs from 19 BBY to 5 ABY , giving it about 24 years of official existence, with major power broken at Endor but legally ended after Jakku.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.