🧠Degrees Minutes Seconds Calculator
Convert coordinates between decimal degrees and DMS formats, with hemisphere support.
Select whether you're working with latitude or longitude to enforce valid ranges, then convert between decimal degrees and degrees-minutes-seconds with helpful breakdowns.
Decimal → DMS
Decimal: 40.712800
DMS: 40° 42' 46.08" N
DMS → Decimal
Decimal: 40.714167
Normalized DMS: 40° 42' 51.00" N
How to Use This Calculator
Pick latitude or longitude
The calculator enforces valid ranges (±90° for lat, ±180° for lon).
Convert decimal ↔ DMS
Enter decimal degrees to see DMS breakdown, or fill DMS fields to get decimal degrees.
Adjust hemispheres
Set N/S for latitude or E/W for longitude to capture the correct sign.
Formula
Decimal Degrees = degrees + minutes / 60 + seconds / 3600
DMS seconds = (decimal_fraction × 60 - minutes) × 60
Apply negative sign or hemisphere (S/W) to represent direction.
Use the formula breakdown to confirm the calculation logic or perform the conversion manually if needed.
Full Description
Degrees-minutes-seconds notation is still widely used in surveying, aviation, and nautical navigation. This tool lets you convert between DMS and decimal degrees easily, enforcing valid ranges based on the coordinate type.
It also normalizes DMS input (carrying excess minutes/seconds) and reports the hemispheres explicitly for clarity.
Integrate the results with the Coordinates Converter for DDM format or the Lat Long to UTM Converter when you need projected coordinates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do minutes and seconds need to be less than 60?
Minutes and seconds are subdivisions of degrees, so values ≥ 60 should be carried into the next higher unit. The calculator normalizes them automatically in the output.
What if I enter negative degrees with a hemisphere?
Hemisphere selection takes precedence. Enter positive degrees and choose the correct hemisphere (S/W) to avoid confusion.
Does the tool round seconds?
Yes. Seconds are rounded to two decimals for readability while retaining precise internal values for the reverse conversion.
Can I convert altitude or 3D coordinates?
This calculator focuses on angular components. Altitudes can be added separately in your datasets.