Coordinates Converter
Convert latitude and longitude between degrees-minutes-seconds and decimal degrees — type in either format and watch the other update instantly, with a live grid showing exactly where your coordinate falls on Earth.
Decimal = Degrees + (Minutes ÷ 60) + (Seconds ÷ 3600), negative for South or West. Example: 40°41'21"N = 40.6892° (the Statue of Liberty). One minute of latitude equals almost exactly 1.852 km — one nautical mile, by definition.
A latitude/longitude graticule (not a map) — shows exactly where your coordinate falls relative to the equator and Prime Meridian.
Why coordinates come in two different formats
Degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS) and decimal degrees are two ways of expressing the exact same location — they just split up the angle differently. DMS breaks a coordinate into whole degrees, whole minutes, and seconds, echoing how navigators historically measured angles with a sextant. Decimal degrees instead express the entire angle as a single number with a fractional part, which is simpler to type, store, and calculate with — exactly why most modern GPS devices, mapping apps, and databases default to decimal degrees today, even though DMS notation is still common on nautical charts, aviation documents, and older survey records.
The conversion formulas
Decimal = Degrees + (Minutes ÷ 60) + (Seconds ÷ 3600)
(negative if hemisphere is South or West)
To go the other direction: the whole number part of the decimal becomes degrees. Multiply the remaining fraction by 60 — the whole number part of that result is minutes. Multiply what's left after removing the minutes by 60 again to get seconds. For example, 40.6892° breaks into 40° + (0.6892 × 60 = 41.35', so 41') + (0.35 × 60 ≈ 21"), giving 40°41'21" — the same coordinate, in the other format.
How much distance a coordinate change actually represents
| Unit | Approx. Distance (Latitude) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 degree (1°) | ~111 km (69 mi) | Consistent at any latitude |
| 1 minute (1') | ~1.852 km | Exactly 1 nautical mile, by definition |
| 1 second (1") | ~30.9 m | Useful for precise survey work |
| 0.0001° (4 decimals) | ~11.1 m | Typical mapping precision |
| 0.00001° (5 decimals) | ~1.1 m | Near typical consumer GPS accuracy |
Longitude works a little differently — a degree of longitude covers roughly the same ~111 km at the equator but shrinks toward zero at the poles, since lines of longitude converge there. Latitude distances stay consistent everywhere, which is why the table above is specifically calculated for latitude.
More conversions on this site
If your project spans more than just geographic coordinates — say, torque specs alongside GPS waypoints for an equipment installation or survey job — our inch-lbs to newton-meters converter and inch-pounds to foot-pounds converter handle the mechanical side of unit conversion with the same straightforward, live-updating approach used here.
Coordinates converter — FAQ
How do I convert degrees, minutes, seconds to decimal degrees?
Add the degrees to the minutes divided by 60, plus the seconds divided by 3,600, then apply a negative sign if the hemisphere is South or West. For example, 40°41'21"N converts to 40 + (41÷60) + (21÷3600) = 40.6892°. This same formula works identically for both latitude and longitude — only the hemisphere letters (N/S for latitude, E/W for longitude) differ between the two.
How do I convert decimal degrees back to degrees, minutes, seconds?
Take the whole number part as degrees. Multiply the remaining decimal by 60 — the whole number part of that result is minutes. Multiply what's left after removing the minutes by 60 again to get seconds. For example, 40.6892° breaks down to 40° (whole number), then 0.6892 × 60 = 41.35, so 41' minutes, then 0.35 × 60 ≈ 21", giving 40°41'21" — matching the original DMS value exactly.
Why do latitude and longitude use different hemisphere letters?
Latitude measures position north or south of the equator, so it uses N (North) or S (South). Longitude measures position east or west of the Prime Meridian (which runs through Greenwich, England), so it uses E (East) or W (West). The two systems are independent of each other — a coordinate needs both a latitude and longitude value, each with its own hemisphere letter, to pinpoint an exact location on Earth.
How much real-world distance does one degree, minute, or second represent?
One degree of latitude represents approximately 111 kilometers (69 miles) anywhere on Earth, since lines of latitude are evenly spaced. One minute of latitude is almost exactly 1.852 km — which is precisely the definition of a nautical mile. One second of latitude is roughly 30.9 meters. Longitude works differently: a degree of longitude spans about 111 km at the equator but shrinks toward zero at the poles, since lines of longitude converge there — so the same fractional coordinate change represents different real distances depending on how close to the poles you are.
Which format does Google Maps or a typical GPS device use?
Most consumer mapping tools and GPS devices, including Google Maps, display and accept coordinates in decimal degrees by default (like 40.6892, -74.0445), since it's simpler to type, store, and calculate with than degrees-minutes-seconds. That said, many devices and apps can still accept or display DMS format on request, which is exactly why converting between the two comes up so often for anyone moving data between different tools or older survey records.
Why do aviation and maritime navigation still use DMS?
Aviation charts, nautical charts, and traditional celestial navigation have historically used degrees-minutes-seconds because it aligns naturally with how navigators originally measured angles using a sextant, and because one minute of latitude conveniently equals exactly one nautical mile — a relationship that's directly useful for manual distance calculations at sea or in the air. Many modern aviation and maritime systems have since adopted decimal degrees or decimal minutes internally, but DMS notation remains common in charts, flight plans, and air traffic communication.
What's the difference between DMS and decimal minutes (DDM)?
Degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS) breaks an angle into three units: whole degrees, whole minutes, and seconds (which can include a decimal). Decimal minutes (DDM), sometimes written as degrees and decimal minutes, instead breaks it into whole degrees and a single minutes value expressed as a decimal, skipping seconds entirely — for example, 40°41.35'N instead of 40°41'21"N. DDM is common in marine GPS units and boating navigation, sitting as a middle ground between full DMS and pure decimal degrees.
How many decimal places should I use for GPS accuracy?
It depends on how precise you need to be. Four decimal places (0.0001°) narrows a location down to roughly 11 meters — precise enough for most everyday navigation and mapping purposes. Five decimal places (0.00001°) narrows it to about 1.1 meters, close to typical consumer GPS accuracy. Going beyond six or seven decimal places implies a level of precision most real-world GPS receivers can't actually achieve, so extra digits beyond that point usually aren't meaningful.
This tool is for educational purposes only. Always verify important results with a qualified professional.
