# GPS Coordinate Converter

Free GPS coordinate converter. Convert between decimal degrees, degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS), and degrees-decimal minutes (DDM). Find UTM zones.

## What this calculates

Convert GPS coordinates between decimal degrees (DD), degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS), and degrees-decimal minutes (DDM). Also shows the approximate UTM zone for the location.

## Inputs

- **Latitude (Decimal Degrees)** — min -90, max 90
- **Longitude (Decimal Degrees)** — min -180, max 180

## Outputs

- **Decimal Degrees (DD)** — formatted as text — Standard decimal format used by most digital maps.
- **Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS)** — formatted as text — Traditional geographic notation.
- **Degrees Decimal Minutes (DDM)** — formatted as text — Used in marine navigation and some GPS devices.
- **Latitude Direction** — formatted as text — North or South hemisphere.
- **Longitude Direction** — formatted as text — East or West hemisphere.
- **UTM Zone (Approximate)** — formatted as text — Approximate UTM zone number.

## Details

GPS coordinates can be expressed in several formats. Different mapping tools, GPS devices, and navigation systems use different conventions.

Coordinate Formats

- Decimal Degrees (DD): 40.7128, -74.0060. Used by Google Maps, most web mapping APIs, and databases.

- Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS): 40° 42′ 46.08″ N, 74° 0′ 21.60″ W. Traditional format used in cartography and paper maps.

- Degrees Decimal Minutes (DDM): 40° 42.768′ N, 74° 0.360′ W. Used in marine navigation and many handheld GPS devices.

Conversion Rules

- Latitude: -90 to +90 (South is negative, North is positive)

- Longitude: -180 to +180 (West is negative, East is positive)

- 1 degree = 60 minutes = 3,600 seconds

- At the equator, 1 degree of latitude ≈ 111.32 km

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How do I convert decimal degrees to DMS?**

A: Take the decimal part and multiply by 60 to get minutes. Take the decimal part of minutes and multiply by 60 to get seconds. For example, 40.7128°: degrees = 40, 0.7128 × 60 = 42.768 minutes, 0.768 × 60 = 46.08 seconds. Result: 40° 42′ 46.08″.

**Q: What format does Google Maps use?**

A: Google Maps uses decimal degrees (DD), such as 40.7128, -74.0060. You can paste coordinates in any format (DD, DMS, or DDM) into Google Maps search, and it will convert them automatically. The URL always uses decimal degrees.

**Q: What is UTM and how are zones determined?**

A: UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) divides the world into 60 zones, each 6° of longitude wide. Zone 1 starts at 180°W. The zone number is calculated as floor((longitude + 180) / 6) + 1. UTM coordinates use meters from zone-specific origins, making distance calculations easier than with lat/lon.

**Q: Why do some coordinates have N/S/E/W while others use +/-?**

A: Both conventions represent the same information. Positive latitude = North, negative = South. Positive longitude = East, negative = West. The letter suffixes (N/S/E/W) are used in DMS format, while decimal degrees use the sign convention. Both are standard.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/conversion/coordinate-converter
Category: Conversion
Last updated: 2026-04-21