Convert Dms to Decimal Degrees Calculator

This calculator converts coordinates from degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS) format to decimal degrees. Whether you're working with GPS coordinates, maps, or geographic data, this tool provides an accurate and easy way to make the conversion.

What is DMS format?

Degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS) is a coordinate format used in geography and navigation. It represents latitude and longitude as three components:

Degrees - The whole number part of the coordinate (0-90 for latitude, 0-180 for longitude)
Minutes - The fractional part of the degree, divided into 60 parts (0-59)
Seconds - The fractional part of the minute, divided into 60 parts (0-59.999)

For example, 40°26'46"N 79°58'56"W represents Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in DMS format.

How to convert DMS to decimal degrees

Converting DMS to decimal degrees involves a simple mathematical process that accounts for the fractional parts of each component. Here's how to do it manually:

Take the degrees value as the whole number part of your decimal degree
Divide the minutes by 60 to convert them to a fraction of a degree
Divide the seconds by 3600 (60 × 60) to convert them to a fraction of a degree
Add all three values together to get the decimal degree

For negative coordinates (south latitude or west longitude), you'll need to apply the negative sign to the final result.

Conversion formula

Formula

Decimal Degrees = Degrees + (Minutes / 60) + (Seconds / 3600)

This formula works for both positive and negative coordinates. For example, converting 40°26'46" to decimal degrees:

Example Calculation

40°26'46" = 40 + (26/60) + (46/3600) = 40 + 0.4333 + 0.0128 = 40.4461°

Worked examples

DMS Coordinate	Decimal Degrees
35°42'15"N	35.7042°
118°15'30"W	-118.2583°
51°30'0"S	-51.5°
0°0'0"E	0°

These examples show how different DMS coordinates convert to decimal degrees. Notice that south and west coordinates are represented as negative values.

FAQ

Why would I need to convert DMS to decimal degrees?: Decimal degrees are more commonly used in modern mapping software, GPS devices, and digital databases. Many applications require coordinates in this format for accurate calculations and display.
Is there a difference between DMS and decimal degrees?: Yes, DMS shows coordinates as degrees, minutes, and seconds, while decimal degrees represent the entire value as a single decimal number. The information is the same, just presented differently.
Can I convert decimal degrees back to DMS?: Yes, there are calculators available that perform the reverse conversion. The process involves breaking down the decimal part into minutes and seconds.
What if my DMS coordinate has a negative value?: Negative values indicate south latitude or west longitude. The conversion process is the same, but you'll need to apply the negative sign to the final decimal degree result.
Are there any limitations to this conversion?: The conversion is mathematically precise and doesn't have inherent limitations. However, precision may be affected by rounding during manual calculations or when working with very small coordinates.