# Degrees Minutes Seconds Calculator

Convert decimal degrees to degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS) format. Works for GPS coordinates, map navigation, and surveying. Also shows radians.

## What this calculates

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.

## Inputs

- **Decimal Degrees** (°) — Enter an angle or coordinate in decimal degrees (e.g., 40.7128).

## Outputs

- **Degrees Minutes Seconds** — formatted as text — The angle expressed in DMS notation.
- **Degrees** (°) — Whole degrees portion.
- **Minutes** (') — Minutes portion (0-59).
- **Seconds** (") — Seconds portion (0-59.99).
- **Radians** (rad) — The angle in radians.

## Details

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:**
1. The whole number part is the degrees
2. Multiply the decimal remainder by 60 to get minutes
3. 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°.

## Frequently Asked Questions

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

A: Take the whole number as degrees. Multiply the decimal part by 60 to get minutes. Take the whole number of that result as minutes, then multiply its decimal part by 60 to get seconds. For example, 35.6762 becomes 35 degrees, 40 minutes, 34.32 seconds.

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

A: Use the formula: Decimal Degrees = Degrees + (Minutes / 60) + (Seconds / 3600). For example, 51° 30' 26.64" = 51 + 30/60 + 26.64/3600 = 51.5074 degrees.

**Q: What do negative decimal degrees mean?**

A: For latitude, negative values indicate south of the equator. For longitude, negative values indicate west of the prime meridian. For example, -33.8688 latitude means 33.8688 degrees south.

**Q: Which format do GPS devices use?**

A: Most modern GPS devices and mapping apps (Google Maps, Apple Maps) default to decimal degrees. However, many can display DMS as well. Aviation, marine navigation, and land surveying traditionally use DMS format.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/conversion/degrees-minutes-seconds
Category: Conversion
Last updated: 2026-04-08