๐งญ Coordinate Converter
Convert latitude and longitude between decimal degrees (e.g. 35.68944) and degrees/minutes/seconds format (e.g. 35ยฐ41'22.2"N). Useful for GPS devices, mapping software, and surveying data that use different coordinate formats.
How to use
- Choose the "Decimal โ DMS" or "DMS โ Decimal" tab.
- Enter the latitude and longitude values in the matching format.
- The converted result in the other format appears in real time.
How the calculation works
Latitude and longitude can be written as decimal degrees (DD) or in degrees, minutes and seconds (DMS). A degree is 60 minutes and a minute is 60 seconds, so both describe the same position. To go from decimal to DMS, the whole-number part is the degrees; multiply the fraction by 60 and take the whole part as minutes; multiply the remaining fraction by 60 again for seconds. To go back, compute degrees + minutes รท 60 + seconds รท 3,600. In decimal form, north and east are positive and south and west negative. DMS keeps the numbers positive and uses N, S, E and W to show direction. Valid latitudes run from โ90 to 90 and longitudes from โ180 to 180.
Worked example
Converting "35.68944, 139.69167" to DMS Latitude 1. Degrees: 35 2. Minutes: 0.68944 ร 60 = 41.3664 โ 41 3. Seconds: 0.3664 ร 60 โ 21.98 โ 35ยฐ41โฒ22.0โณN Longitude 1. Degrees: 139 2. Minutes: 0.69167 ร 60 = 41.5002 โ 41 3. Seconds: 0.5002 ร 60 โ 30.0 โ 139ยฐ41โฒ30.0โณE Going back, 35ยฐ41โฒ22โณ = 35 + 41/60 + 22/3600 โ 35.68944, the original value.
Things to be aware of
- In decimal form, southern latitudes and western longitudes are negative. Dropping the sign puts the point in the opposite hemisphere.
- One second of latitude is roughly 30 metres, so the number of decimal places makes a big difference to precision.
- Older Japanese maps and survey data may use the old Tokyo Datum, which sits several hundred metres off modern datums such as WGS84. That needs a datum transformation, not just a format change.
- This tool converts notation only; it does not correct for datum differences.
FAQ
What is DMS format?
DMS stands for Degrees, Minutes, Seconds โ a traditional way of expressing geographic coordinates, e.g. 35ยฐ41'22.2"N, where 1 degree = 60 minutes and 1 minute = 60 seconds.
What are valid ranges for latitude and longitude?
Latitude must be between -90 and 90 degrees, and longitude must be between -180 and 180 degrees. Values outside this range are flagged as invalid.
Can I convert decimal coordinates copied from Google Maps to DMS?
Yes โ use the "Decimal โ DMS" tab to convert decimal coordinates copied from Google Maps or similar apps into DMS format.
Can I convert a GPS device's DMS reading for use in a map app?
Yes โ use the "DMS โ Decimal" tab to enter degrees, minutes, and seconds and get the decimal format most map apps expect.
Can I enter coordinates in the southern or western hemisphere?
Yes โ select South for latitude or West for longitude, and the conversion is calculated correctly for that hemisphere.