The DMS to decimal formula
Decimal degrees = degrees + minutes ÷ 60 + seconds ÷ 3600, made negative for south and west. Example: 74° 02′ 40.2″ W = −(74 + 2/60 + 40.2/3600) = −74.04450°.
In the other direction, the whole number is the degrees; the fraction times 60 gives minutes, and the fraction of the minutes times 60 gives seconds. The converter rounds correctly and never shows 60″.
Accepted formats
With symbols (40°41'21.3"N), with spaces (40 41 21.3 N), with the letter first (N 40° 41' 21.3") or with a sign (-74 02 40.2). The words north, south, east and west also work.
Frequently asked questions
How many decimal places do I need?
In decimal degrees, 5 places is about 1 m and 6 places about 10 cm. In DMS, one decimal place on the seconds is about 3 m and two places about 30 cm.