What is the difference between DMS and decimal degrees?

DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) expresses a coordinate as three components — e.g. 40° 26' 46.8" N. Decimal degrees express the same value as a single number — e.g. 40.4463°. Both represent the same point; the formats are mathematically equivalent.

How is the conversion calculated?

Decimal = Degrees + (Minutes / 60) + (Seconds / 3600). For Southern or Western hemispheres the result is negated. The reverse applies minutes = floor((|decimal| - degrees) × 60) and seconds = ((|decimal| - degrees) × 60 - minutes) × 60.

What are valid ranges for latitude and longitude?

Latitude ranges from 0° to 90° (N or S). Longitude ranges from 0° to 180° (E or W). In decimal form, latitude is −90 to 90 and longitude is −180 to 180.

How many decimal places are shown?

Decimal degrees are shown to 6 places (roughly 0.1 m precision). Seconds are shown to 4 decimal places for equivalent precision.

Can I enter negative decimal degrees?

Yes. A negative latitude maps to South and a negative longitude maps to West. The hemisphere selector updates automatically to match.

Is this tool accurate enough for professional surveying?

The conversion is mathematically exact. Practical accuracy depends on the precision of your input values. For survey-grade work ensure your source data has sufficient significant figures.

DMS to Decimal Degrees Converter

Convert geographic coordinates between DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) and decimal degrees instantly in your browser.

Coordinate Input

Enter degrees, minutes, and seconds for latitude and longitude.

Latitude

Degrees

Minutes

Seconds

Dir

Longitude

Degrees

Minutes

Seconds

Dir

Quick Examples

Result

Enter coordinates and click Convert

Summary

This tool converts geographic coordinates between Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (DMS) notation and decimal degrees (DD) format. Both directions are supported: enter DMS components to get decimal degrees, or enter a decimal value to get the equivalent DMS breakdown. All computation happens entirely in your browser — no data is sent to any server.

How it works

Choose the conversion direction: DMS to Decimal or Decimal to DMS.
For DMS to Decimal: enter the degrees, minutes, and seconds values, then select N/S for latitude or E/W for longitude.
For Decimal to DMS: enter the decimal degree value and select the hemisphere direction.
Click Convert to see the result in the opposite format.
Use the Quick Examples to test with well-known locations.
Click Copy to copy the formatted result to your clipboard.

Use cases

Convert GPS waypoints from DMS notation into decimal degrees for mapping software.
Translate decimal coordinates from Google Maps into DMS for paper charts.
Cross-check coordinate formats when entering data into GIS or survey applications.
Education: understand the relationship between DMS and decimal degree notation.
Verify coordinate conversions for flight planning or marine navigation.
Prepare coordinates for entry into systems that require a specific format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-05-29 · Reviewed by Nham Vu