How to Use Latitude & Longitude Converter
Choose DD to DMS when you have a decimal coordinate from GPS, a map app, or a dataset. Enter the decimal value and select the intended direction so the DMS output uses the correct hemisphere label.
Choose DMS to DD when a coordinate is written as degrees, minutes, seconds, and direction. Enter each component separately. Minutes must be below 60 and seconds must be below 60 for a valid DMS coordinate.
Use the result in the coordinate format required by your mapping tool, field notebook, GIS table, or navigation device. Convert latitude and longitude one at a time so each direction is handled correctly.
Formula & Theory - Latitude & Longitude Converter
For DMS to decimal degrees, the Latitude & Longitude Converter uses DD = degrees + minutes/60 + seconds/3600. South and west directions apply a negative sign, while north and east are positive.
For decimal degrees to DMS, the integer part becomes degrees. The remaining decimal fraction is multiplied by 60 to get minutes; the remaining minute fraction is multiplied by 60 to get seconds. Rounding seconds can occasionally produce values close to 60, so high-precision mapping work may require additional formatting rules.
Use Cases for Latitude & Longitude Converter
- Clean GPS coordinates before entering them into a GIS table.
- Convert field notes into decimal coordinates for map software.
- Teach how degrees, minutes, and seconds relate to decimal degrees.