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Convert degrees, minutes, seconds to decimal degrees format
Decimal Degrees = Degrees + (Minutes / 60) + (Seconds / 3600)
Apply negative sign for South latitude or West longitude
| Location | Latitude (DMS) | Longitude (DMS) |
|---|---|---|
| Taj Mahal, India | 27° 10' 30" N | 78° 2' 32" E |
| Machu Picchu, Peru | 13° 9' 48" S | 72° 32' 44" W |
| Mount Everest | 27° 59' 17" N | 86° 55' 31" E |
| Golden Gate Bridge | 37° 49' 11" N | 122° 28' 43" W |
| Stonehenge, UK | 51° 10' 44" N | 1° 49' 34" W |
DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) is a sexagesimal (base-60) coordinate system that has been used for navigation and surveying for centuries. This system divides each degree into 60 minutes, and each minute into 60 seconds, similar to how time is measured.
The DMS format originated from ancient Babylonian mathematics and astronomy, where base-60 counting was common. This system was adopted by early navigators and cartographers and remains in use today, particularly in aviation, maritime navigation, and traditional surveying.
Reading DMS coordinates: Each component represents a progressively finer division of angular measurement. One degree equals 60 nautical miles at the equator, one minute equals one nautical mile, and one second equals approximately 30 meters (100 feet). This makes DMS particularly useful for navigation where nautical miles are the standard unit.
Direction indicators (N/S/E/W) replace the need for negative numbers. North and East are positive directions, while South and West are negative. When converting to decimal degrees, South and West directions result in negative values.
Use the formula: DD = D + (M/60) + (S/3600), where DD is decimal degrees, D is degrees, M is minutes, and S is seconds. For South or West directions, make the result negative. For example, 40° 26' 46" N = 40 + (26/60) + (46/3600) = 40.446111°.
Minutes and seconds must both be in the range of 0 to 59.999... (less than 60). If you have 60 or more minutes, they should be converted to an additional degree. Similarly, 60 or more seconds should be converted to an additional minute. This is similar to time notation.
DMS is preferred in traditional navigation and aviation because it relates directly to nautical miles and provides a natural breakdown of precision levels. Many navigation charts, official documents, and legal descriptions still use DMS. It's also easier to communicate verbally and less prone to decimal point errors.
Yes! You can enter decimal values for minutes and seconds. For example, you can enter 30.5 minutes or 45.75 seconds. The converter will handle decimal inputs correctly and calculate the precise decimal degree value. This is useful when you have measurements with fractional components.
Precision depends on how many decimal places you use in the seconds value. One second of latitude equals approximately 30 meters (100 feet). Using two decimal places in seconds (e.g., 46.08") gives you precision to within about 30 centimeters (1 foot), which is sufficient for most navigation and mapping purposes.
You can leave the seconds field empty or enter 0. This format is sometimes called "DM" (Degrees and Decimal Minutes) and is commonly used in marine navigation. For example, 40° 26.767' N is equivalent to 40° 26' 46" N. Our converter handles this format seamlessly.