Degrees Minutes Seconds to Gps Coordinates Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

To convert degrees, minutes, and seconds to GPS coordinates:

1. Enter the degrees value in the first field.
2. Enter the minutes value in the second field.
3. Enter the seconds value in the third field.
4. Select whether the coordinate is north/south or east/west.
5. Click "Calculate" to convert the values to decimal format.
6. The result will display the decimal coordinate and a visual representation.

The calculator handles both latitude and longitude coordinates, providing precise decimal values for use in GPS devices and mapping applications.

Formula Explained

The conversion from degrees, minutes, and seconds to decimal coordinates uses the following formula:

This formula accounts for the fact that each degree is divided into 60 minutes, and each minute is divided into 60 seconds. The result is a single decimal number that represents the coordinate in a format compatible with GPS devices and mapping software.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Latitude Conversion

Convert 40° 26' 46" N to decimal format:

1. Degrees = 40
2. Minutes = 26
3. Seconds = 46
4. Decimal = 40 + (26 / 60) + (46 / 3600) = 40.446111...

The result is 40.4461° N.

Example 2: Longitude Conversion

Convert 73° 59' 23" W to decimal format:

1. Degrees = 73
2. Minutes = 59
3. Seconds = 23
4. Decimal = 73 + (59 / 60) + (23 / 3600) = 73.989722...

The result is -73.9897° (negative because it's west).