Loading Calculator...
Please wait a moment
Please wait a moment
Convert GPS coordinates between all major formats: Decimal Degrees, DMS, and UTM. Input coordinates in any format and instantly see all conversions.
Range: -90 to +90 (S to N)
Range: -180 to +180 (W to E)
Latitude
°
Longitude
°
Format: Single decimal number. Most common format for GPS devices and digital mapping.
Latitude
Longitude
Format: Degrees (°), Minutes ('), Seconds ("), Direction (N/S/E/W). Traditional format used in navigation and aviation.
Zone
Easting (E)
m
Northing (N)
m
Format: Zone number + hemisphere letter, Easting (meters), Northing (meters). Used for precise mapping and military applications.
| Format | Example | Best For | Precision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal Degrees | 40.7128, -74.0060 | GPS devices, digital maps, programming | 6 decimals ≈ 0.1m |
| DMS | 40° 42' 46" N, 74° 0' 22" W | Navigation, aviation, verbal communication | 1 second ≈ 30m |
| UTM | 18T 583960E 4507523N | Military, surveying, metric measurements | 1m standard |
| MGRS | 18TWL8396007523 | Military operations, NATO forces | 1-10m typical |
Geographic coordinate systems provide a standardized way to describe any location on Earth. The most common system uses latitude and longitude, where latitude measures north-south position (0° at equator, ±90° at poles) and longitude measures east-west position (0° at Prime Meridian in Greenwich, ±180° at the International Date Line). Different professions and applications prefer different formats for expressing these same coordinates.
Decimal degrees express coordinates as single numbers (40.7128° N), making them ideal for calculations and computer processing. DMS breaks coordinates into degrees, minutes, and seconds (40° 42' 46" N), which was historically easier for manual navigation calculations and is still preferred in aviation and maritime navigation. One degree equals 60 minutes, and one minute equals 60 seconds - a system dating back to ancient Babylonian mathematics.
The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system divides the Earth into 60 zones, each 6° of longitude wide. Within each zone, coordinates are given in meters east (easting) and north (northing) from a reference point. This metric-based system is excellent for surveying and mapping because distances are in meters, making calculations straightforward. Military forces worldwide use UTM and its derivative MGRS for tactical operations and artillery targeting.
Use decimal degrees for GPS devices, smartphone apps, and any computer-based mapping. Choose DMS when communicating coordinates verbally, working with aviation charts, or using traditional navigation tools. Select UTM/MGRS for military applications, land surveying, or when you need metric measurements. Most modern GPS devices and software can display coordinates in multiple formats, so understanding all three systems provides maximum flexibility.
Consumer GPS devices are typically accurate to within 5-10 meters under good conditions. Smartphone GPS can achieve 3-5 meter accuracy. Survey-grade GPS with differential correction can reach centimeter-level accuracy. Coordinate precision in degrees: 6 decimal places ≈ 0.1m, 5 decimals ≈ 1m, 4 decimals ≈ 10m, 3 decimals ≈ 100m.
For most modern applications, use decimal degrees - they're the standard for GPS devices, online maps, and programming. Use DMS if you're working with aviation or nautical charts, or need to communicate coordinates verbally. Use UTM for military applications, land surveying, or when working with metric distances. Your GPS device can usually display all formats.
Latitude ranges from -90° to +90°: 0° is the equator, +90° is the North Pole, -90° is the South Pole. Positive is north, negative is south. Longitude ranges from -180° to +180°: 0° is the Prime Meridian (Greenwich), positive is east, negative is west. The ±180° line is roughly the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean.
Yes, converting between decimal degrees and DMS is straightforward math. For decimal to DMS: integer part = degrees, multiply decimal by 60 for minutes, multiply remainder by 60 for seconds. For DMS to decimal: degrees + (minutes/60) + (seconds/3600). UTM conversion requires complex calculations involving ellipsoidal geometry and is best done with software.
Different systems evolved for different purposes. Latitude/longitude based on Earth's geometry is universal but uses degrees, which are awkward for distance measurements. UTM uses meters in a flat grid, perfect for surveying and military use but requires zone awareness. Multiple formats exist because each optimizes for specific use cases - navigation, surveying, or computation.
A datum defines the reference ellipsoid and origin point for coordinate systems. Common datums include WGS84 (GPS standard), NAD83 (North America), and NAD27 (older US maps). The same location can have slightly different coordinates in different datums - sometimes differing by hundreds of meters. Always verify your datum matches between map and GPS, especially for critical navigation.