Bearing Degrees Minutes Seconds Calculator

What is a bearing?

A bearing is a measurement of direction, typically expressed in degrees from a reference point, usually north. In navigation and surveying, bearings are used to indicate the direction from one point to another. They can be expressed in different formats:

• Degrees only (e.g., 45°)
• Degrees and minutes (e.g., 45°30')
• Degrees, minutes, and seconds (e.g., 45°30'15")

This calculator helps you convert between these formats and understand how bearings are used in practical applications.

How to use this calculator

Using the bearing calculator is straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Enter the bearing value in the input field.
2. Select the input format (degrees, degrees and minutes, or degrees, minutes, and seconds).
3. Select the output format you want to convert to.
4. Click the "Calculate" button to see the result.
5. Review the result and explanation provided.

The calculator will display the converted bearing value and provide an explanation of the conversion process.

Formula used

The conversion between different bearing formats is based on the following formulas:

These formulas ensure accurate conversions between the different bearing formats.

Worked examples

Here are some worked examples to demonstrate how the calculator works:

Example 1: Convert 45.5° to Degrees, Minutes, Seconds

Input: 45.5° (Decimal Degrees)

Output: 45°30'0" (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds)

Explanation: 0.5 degrees × 60 minutes/degree = 30 minutes.

Example 2: Convert 45°30'15" to Decimal Degrees

Input: 45°30'15" (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds)

Output: 45.5042° (Decimal Degrees)

Explanation: 30 minutes × 60 seconds/minute = 1800 seconds. Total seconds = 15 + 1800 = 1815. 1815 seconds × 3600 seconds/degree = 0.5042 degrees. Add to 45 degrees.