Coordinates Converter (DMS to Decimal)
Convert GPS coordinates between decimal degrees and degrees, minutes and seconds (DMS).
About the Coordinates Converter (DMS to Decimal)
Type coordinates in any common format: decimal degrees, degrees-minutes-seconds or degrees and decimal minutes. The calculator converts them to all three.
There are 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute. Decimal degrees (40.689278) are used by Google Maps and most apps; DMS (40° 41′ 21.4″ N) appears on charts and older GPS units; degrees and decimal minutes (40° 41.357′) are common in marine and aviation navigation. South latitudes and west longitudes are negative in decimal form.
The formula
Decimal = degrees + minutes ÷ 60 + seconds ÷ 3600
Worked example
The Statue of Liberty: 40° 41′ 21.4″ N, 74° 2′ 40.2″ W
- 40 + 41 ÷ 60 + 21.4 ÷ 3,600 = 40.689278
- West is negative: −74.0445
- Decimal minutes: 40° 41.3567′ N, 74° 2.67′ W
Questions people ask
How precise is 5 decimal places?
About 1.1 m at the equator.
Which comes first?
Latitude (north–south), then longitude (east–west).