Coordinates - DMS to Decimal to DMS - Calculator

This calculator can be used, for instance, If you have a GPS receiver which displays coordinates in DMS and you have coordinates in decimal form and vice-versa.

Coordinates in DMS

Latitude

Deg° Min′ Sec″

Longitude

(See results in the box below)

Coordinates in Decimal

Latitude

Longitude



(See results in the box above)
  • Use the box "Coordinates - DMS" to enter coordinates in degrees, minutes, seconds and direction (negative values are not allowed - choose direction instead); the result will be shown in decimal equivalent in the "Coordinates - Decimal" box.
  • Use the "Coordinates - Decimal" box to enter coordinates in decimal; the result will be shown in degrees, minutes, seconds and direction equivalent in the "Coordinates - DMS" box.

How to Convert Coordinates between Decimal and Degrees, Minutes and Seconds.

1 - From Decimal to Degrees, Minutes and Seconds.

Supose you want to convert from decimal to DMS (degree, minute, second - sexagesimal) the coordinates of the Titanic sunk:

Latitude: 49.948333333333° N and Longitude: -41.726388888889° W

Here's the step by step process:

  • Take for example the latitude.
  • The whole units of degrees will remain the same (i.e. in 49.948333333333° longitude, start with 49°).
  • Multiply the remaining decimal by 60 (i.e. .948333333333 * 60 = 56.899999999980).
  • The whole number becomes the minutes (56').
  • Take the remaining decimal and multiply by 60. (i.e. 0.899999999980 * 60 = 53.999999998800).
  • The resulting number becomes the seconds (53"). Seconds can remain as a decimal or rounded.
  • Take your three sets of numbers and put them together, using the symbols for degrees (°), minutes (‘), and seconds (") (i.e. 49°56'53.999" or 49°56'54 - if rounded")

Repeat the same procedure for the longitude and you'll find the value 41°43'35.

2 - From Degrees, Minutes and Seconds to Decimal.

This one is a very easy procedure.

Once there are 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute, to convert from a degrees minutes seconds format to a decimal degrees format, we use this formula:

decimal degrees = degrees + minutes/60 + seconds/3600.

Taking the last example (49°56'54) we have:

decimal degrees = degrees + minutes/60 + seconds/3600.
decimal degrees = 49 + 56/60 + 54/3600 = 49 + 0.9333333333333333 + 0.015 = 49.94833333°

It is possible to check these results using our calculators above.

Video: Latitude and Longitude

Latitude and longitude are precise ways of locating a person or thing without a reference point. In this video, learn how to read longitude and latitude lines.

Disclaimer

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on this website, neither this website nor its authors are responsible for any errors or omissions. Therefore, the contents of this site are not suitable for any use involving risk to health, finances or property.