Convert coordinates between decimal degrees and degrees/minutes/seconds.
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How do you convert coordinates between decimal degrees and DMS?
Decimal degrees = degrees + minutes ÷ 60 + seconds ÷ 3600, with south (S) and west (W) values negative. A full circle is 360 degrees, each degree splits into 60 minutes and each minute into 60 seconds. For example, 40.446° latitude is 40° 26′ 45.6″ N. Decimal degrees pack the same information into a single signed number.
Understanding your result
A full circle is 360 degrees; each degree splits into 60 minutes and each minute into 60 seconds. Decimal degrees pack the same information into a single number, with the sign showing the hemisphere.
Formula and method
Decimal degrees = degrees + minutes ⁄ 60 + seconds ⁄ 3600. South (S) and west (W) values are negative.
Worked example
40.446° latitude is 40° 26′ 45.6″ N.
How to use this tool
- Choose decimal → DMS or DMS → decimal.
- Enter the coordinate.
- Read and copy the converted value.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting that south and west coordinates are negative in decimal form.
- Swapping latitude and longitude.
About the Coordinate Converter
The Coordinate Converter switches GPS coordinates between decimal degrees and the degrees/minutes/seconds (DMS) format, handling the N/S and E/W hemispheres.
Who should use this tool
Hikers, pilots, surveyors, geocachers and anyone working with maps and GPS.
Benefits
- Both directions in one tool.
- Handles latitude and longitude hemispheres.
- Precise to fractions of a second.
- Copy-ready output.
Practical use cases
- Reading a DMS coordinate off a map.
- Entering decimal coordinates into a device.
- Sharing a precise location.
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Frequently asked questions
What does DMS stand for?
Degrees, minutes and seconds — the traditional way of writing coordinates, where each degree has 60 minutes and each minute 60 seconds.
How do hemispheres work?
Latitude uses N or S and longitude uses E or W. In decimal degrees, S and W are written as negative numbers.