Degrees Minutes Seconds Calculator
Convert decimal degrees to degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS) format. Enter any angle or GPS coordinate in decimal form, and the calculator breaks it down into the traditional DMS notation used in maps and surveying.
Angles and geographic coordinates can be expressed in two common formats: decimal degrees (DD) and degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS). GPS devices and digital maps often use decimal degrees, while traditional paper maps, surveying, and aviation commonly use DMS.
Conversion Formula:
- The whole number part is the degrees
- Multiply the decimal remainder by 60 to get minutes
- Multiply the decimal remainder of minutes by 60 to get seconds
Example: Convert 40.7128° to DMS
- Degrees: 40
- 0.7128 x 60 = 42.768 minutes
- Minutes: 42
- 0.768 x 60 = 46.08 seconds
- Result: 40° 42' 46.08"
Common Coordinate Examples:
| Location | Decimal Degrees | DMS Format |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 40.7128° N | 40° 42' 46.08" N |
| London | 51.5074° N | 51° 30' 26.64" N |
| Sydney | -33.8688° S | 33° 52' 7.68" S |
| Tokyo | 35.6762° N | 35° 40' 34.32" N |
To convert DMS back to decimal degrees: Decimal = Degrees + (Minutes / 60) + (Seconds / 3600). For example, 40° 42' 46.08" = 40 + 42/60 + 46.08/3600 = 40.7128°.