How to Do Degrees and Minutes on A Calculator

Degrees and minutes are commonly used in navigation, astronomy, and geography to measure angles. This guide explains how to convert between decimal degrees and degrees-minutes-seconds format using a calculator.

How to Convert Degrees and Minutes

Converting between decimal degrees and degrees-minutes-seconds requires understanding the relationship between these units:

1 degree (°) = 60 minutes (')
1 minute (') = 60 seconds ("), though seconds are rarely used in basic conversions

To convert decimal degrees to degrees and minutes:

Separate the integer part (whole degrees) from the decimal part
Multiply the decimal part by 60 to get minutes
Combine the whole degrees with the minutes

To convert degrees and minutes to decimal degrees:

Divide the minutes by 60
Add this value to the whole degrees

Note: For precise measurements, seconds can be included by further dividing the remaining decimal by 60, but this is rarely needed for basic calculations.

The Conversion Formula

Decimal to Degrees-Minutes:

Degrees = Integer part of decimal degrees

Minutes = (Decimal part × 60)

Result = Degrees° Minutes'

Degrees-Minutes to Decimal:

Decimal Degrees = Degrees + (Minutes ÷ 60)

These formulas form the basis for the calculator below. The conversion is straightforward but requires careful attention to the decimal places to ensure accuracy.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Decimal to Degrees-Minutes

Convert 45.75° to degrees and minutes:

Integer part: 45°
Decimal part: 0.75
Minutes: 0.75 × 60 = 45'
Result: 45° 45'

Example 2: Degrees-Minutes to Decimal

Convert 32° 15' to decimal degrees:

Minutes to decimal: 15 ÷ 60 = 0.25
Add to degrees: 32 + 0.25 = 32.25°

Conversion Comparison Table
Decimal Degrees	Degrees-Minutes
12.5°	12° 30'
27.833°	27° 50'
55.25°	55° 15'

Using the Calculator

The calculator on the right provides an interactive way to perform these conversions. Simply enter your value in either format and click "Calculate" to see the result.

For example, entering 38.6 in decimal degrees will convert to 38° 36'. Conversely, entering 15° 45' will convert to 15.75°.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we use degrees and minutes?: Degrees and minutes provide a more precise way to measure angles than decimal degrees alone, especially in fields like navigation and astronomy.
How many minutes are in a degree?: There are exactly 60 minutes in one degree. This is based on the original Babylonian sexagesimal system.
Can I convert minutes to seconds?: Yes, but it's rarely needed in basic conversions. Each minute contains 60 seconds, so you would divide the remaining decimal by 60 after converting to minutes.
What's the difference between degrees and radians?: Degrees and radians are different units for measuring angles. There are 180 degrees in π radians, and 360 degrees in 2π radians.