DMS to Decimal Degrees Converter

Convert map coordinates between degrees, minutes and seconds (40° 26′ 46″ N) and decimal degrees (40.446111) for GPS, Google Maps and GIS.

How to use the DMS to Decimal Degrees Converter

Choose DMS → decimal or decimal → DMS.
Enter the coordinate.
Choose N/S/E/W (or use a negative decimal for S and W).

How it works

Decimal degrees = degrees + minutes/60 + seconds/3600. South latitudes and west longitudes are negative. To convert back, the whole number is the degrees; multiply the remainder by 60 for minutes, and the new remainder by 60 for seconds. Latitude runs from −90 to 90 and longitude from −180 to 180. Six decimal places locate a point to about 11 cm.

Precision of decimal degrees

Decimal places	Precision (approx.)
0	111 km
1	11 km
2	1.1 km
3	110 m
4	11 m
5	1.1 m
6	11 cm

Frequently asked questions

How do I enter coordinates in Google Maps?

Use decimal degrees like 40.446111, -79.982222, or DMS like 40°26′46″N 79°58′56″W.

Why is longitude negative?

West of the Prime Meridian (and south of the equator for latitude) is negative in decimal degrees.