Lat/Long to DMS
Convert decimal degrees to degrees/minutes/seconds (DMS) and decimal minutes (DDM). Free, instant, runs in your browser.
The conversion formula
Given a decimal coordinate X:
- Degrees
D = floor(|X|) - Minutes
M = floor((|X| - D) × 60) - Seconds
S = ((|X| - D) × 60 - M) × 60 - Sign becomes N/S (lat) or E/W (lng): negative → S or W.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are degrees, minutes, and seconds?
DMS is the traditional way of writing coordinates, used on paper maps, nautical charts, and GPS displays. The Earth is divided into 360 degrees, each degree into 60 minutes (' ), and each minute into 60 seconds ("). So 1 second ≈ 31 metres at the equator. New York City at 40.7580, -73.9855 in decimal becomes 40°45'28.8"N 73°59'7.8"W in DMS.
How is the conversion done?
For latitude 40.758: the integer part (40) is the degrees. Multiply the fractional part (0.758) by 60 to get minutes (45.48); the integer (45) is minutes. Multiply the new fractional part (0.48) by 60 to get seconds (28.8). Negative decimal values become S or W in DMS.
Should I use DMS or decimal degrees?
For APIs, databases, spreadsheets, and code, always use decimal degrees — they're easier to parse and compute with. For paper maps, GPS units, nautical/aviation, and human-readable text, DMS is conventional. This tool converts decimal → DMS; for the reverse see DMS ↔ Decimal.
What about decimal minutes (DDM)?
A halfway format where degrees and minutes are integers but seconds are kept as a decimal: 40°45.48'N. DDM is common in marine and aviation GPS. The tool below shows both DMS and DDM outputs.