DMS to Decimal Degrees Converter
Convert coordinates in degrees, minutes and seconds (DMS) to decimal degrees, and see the decimal-to-DMS breakdown.
How it works
decimal = ±( D + M/60 + S/3600 ) · sign = −1 for S or W, else +1
Coordinates come in two common forms: degrees-minutes-seconds (used on maps and older GPS units) and decimal degrees (used by most software and mapping APIs). One minute is 1/60 of a degree and one second is 1/3600 of a degree. South and West directions carry a negative sign.
Worked example
40° 42′ 46″ N = 40 + 42/60 + 46/3600 = 40 + 0.7 + 0.01278 = 40.71278° N.
Frequently asked questions
When is the value negative?
Southern latitudes and Western longitudes are negative in decimal form. A DMS reading of 74° 0′ 22″ W becomes −74.0061°.
How precise is one second of arc?
One second of latitude is about 31 metres on the ground. Six decimal places in decimal degrees resolves to roughly 0.1 metre.
Why must minutes and seconds be under 60?
They are sexagesimal (base-60) subdivisions. 60 minutes make one degree and 60 seconds make one minute, so a value of 60 or more should carry into the next unit.
Related calculators
Educational estimate. Uses a spherical-Earth model; results differ slightly from ellipsoidal (WGS84) calculations.