Decimal Degrees to DMS Coordinate Converter
Convert decimal degrees to degrees minutes seconds and degrees decimal minutes for GPS latitude and longitude coordinates.
Decimal Degrees Converter
Use a negative value for south latitude or west longitude
| Format | Value |
|---|
Degree Conversion Reference Table
This reference table shows the basic conversion factors used to convert between degrees, minutes and seconds.
| From | To | Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| 1 degree | Minutes | Multiply by 60 |
| 1 degree | Seconds | Multiply by 3600 |
| 1 minute | Seconds | Multiply by 60 |
| 1 minute | Degrees | Divide by 60 |
| 1 second | Minutes | Divide by 60 |
| 1 second | Degrees | Divide by 3600 |
Decimal Degrees Converter Explained
The decimal degrees converter changes a coordinate written in decimal degrees into degrees minutes seconds and degrees decimal minutes format. This conversion is commonly needed when working with GPS coordinates, surveying data, mapping software and navigation systems that use different coordinate formats.
Enter a decimal degree value such as 42.15188 and the converter instantly returns the equivalent degrees minutes seconds value, the degrees decimal minutes value, and the total number of minutes and seconds contained in the original value.
How to Use the Decimal Degrees Converter
Enter your decimal degree value into the input field. The value can be positive for north latitude or east longitude, or negative for south latitude or west longitude. Press Convert or hit Enter to see the results displayed in degrees minutes seconds, degrees decimal minutes, total minutes and total seconds.
Use the Clear button to reset the field and convert a new coordinate value.
How to Convert Decimal Degrees to DMS Step by Step
Converting decimal degrees to degrees minutes seconds follows a simple repeating process based on multiplying by 60, because there are 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute.
- The whole number part of the decimal degree value becomes the degrees value.
- Multiply the remaining decimal portion by 60. The whole number of this result becomes the minutes value.
- Multiply the new remaining decimal by 60 again. This result becomes the seconds value.
- Round the seconds value to the desired precision following standard rounding rules.
For example, the decimal degree value 156.742 converts as follows. The whole number 156 becomes the degrees. Multiplying 0.742 by 60 gives 44.52, so 44 becomes the minutes. Multiplying 0.52 by 60 gives 31.2, so 31 becomes the seconds. The final result is 156 degrees, 44 minutes, 31.2 seconds, written as 156° 44′ 31.2″.
Why Coordinates Use Degrees Minutes and Seconds
Degrees minutes and seconds notation comes from dividing a circle into 360 degrees, with each degree split into 60 minutes and each minute split into 60 seconds. This system allows precise location data for latitude and longitude, since each additional unit narrows the location to a smaller area on the globe.
Converting GPS Coordinates Between Formats
Converting GPS coordinates between decimal degrees, degrees minutes seconds and degrees decimal minutes is useful because different mapping tools, GPS devices and survey equipment may require different formats. Decimal degrees are common in digital mapping APIs, while degrees minutes seconds are often used in marine navigation and traditional surveying.
Frequently Asked Questions About Degree Conversion
Take the whole number portion of the decimal degree value as the degrees. Multiply the remaining decimal by 60 to get minutes, then take the whole number of that result as minutes. Multiply the new remaining decimal by 60 to get seconds.
One degree is divided into 60 minutes and one minute is divided into 60 seconds, similar to how an hour is divided into minutes and seconds. Multiplying the decimal portion by 60 converts that fraction of a degree into the next smaller unit.
DMS stands for degrees, minutes and seconds, which splits a coordinate into three whole and decimal parts. DMM stands for degrees and decimal minutes, which keeps minutes as a decimal value and does not use seconds at all.
GPS coordinates given in decimal degrees can be converted to degrees minutes seconds by separating the whole number degrees from the decimal portion, then multiplying that decimal by 60 to find minutes and seconds in sequence.
Divide the seconds by 3600 and the minutes by 60, then add both results to the whole number of degrees to get the decimal degree value.
Yes, negative decimal degree values, which represent south latitude or west longitude, convert the same way as positive values, with the negative sign applied to the final degrees value.