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How to Find Degrees Minutes Seconds on Calculator

Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team

Converting decimal degrees to degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS) is a common task in navigation, surveying, and mapping. This guide explains the process and provides a working calculator to perform the conversion quickly and accurately.

What is Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (DMS)?

Degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS) is an alternative to decimal degrees for expressing geographic coordinates and angles. It breaks down a full circle (360 degrees) into:

  • 360 degrees
  • 60 minutes per degree
  • 60 seconds per minute

This system is commonly used in older maps and navigation tools. Modern GPS devices typically use decimal degrees, but DMS is still useful for certain applications.

Note: The DMS system is based on the sexagesimal numeral system, which uses powers of 60 rather than 10.

How to Convert Decimal Degrees to DMS

The conversion process involves these steps:

  1. Separate the integer part of the decimal degrees (this becomes the degrees value)
  2. Multiply the decimal part by 60 to get the minutes
  3. Separate the integer part of the minutes (this becomes the minutes value)
  4. Multiply the remaining decimal part by 60 to get the seconds

Formula:

Degrees = Integer part of decimal degrees

Minutes = (Decimal part × 60) rounded to nearest integer

Seconds = (Remaining decimal part × 60) rounded to desired precision

For example, converting 45.75 degrees:

  1. Degrees = 45
  2. 0.75 × 60 = 45 minutes
  3. Minutes = 45
  4. Seconds = 0 (since there's no remaining decimal)

Result: 45°45'0"

Using a Calculator for DMS Conversion

While you can perform the conversion manually, using a calculator makes the process faster and more accurate. The calculator on this page handles all the calculations for you.

To use it:

  1. Enter the decimal degrees value in the input field
  2. Click "Calculate" to see the DMS equivalent
  3. Review the result and any additional information

The calculator also shows the formula used and provides a visual representation of the conversion when possible.

Worked Example

Let's convert 37.4683° to DMS:

  1. Degrees = 37
  2. 0.4683 × 60 = 28.1 (minutes)
  3. Minutes = 28
  4. 0.1 × 60 = 6 (seconds)

Final result: 37°28'6"

Tip: For more precise results, you can enter more decimal places in the input field.

FAQ

Why convert decimal degrees to DMS?
DMS is often used in older maps, navigation tools, and certain scientific applications. It provides a more granular representation of angles compared to decimal degrees.
How accurate is the DMS conversion?
The calculator provides accurate conversions based on standard mathematical operations. For most practical purposes, the results are precise enough.
Can I convert DMS back to decimal degrees?
Yes, the reverse calculation is straightforward. You would convert minutes to degrees (divide by 60) and seconds to degrees (divide by 3600), then sum all parts.
What if I enter a negative number?
The calculator will handle negative values correctly, indicating the direction (west or south) in the result.
Is there a limit to how many decimal places I can enter?
The calculator accepts up to 10 decimal places, but practical applications typically use 4-6 decimal places for sufficient precision.