A decimal degrees to degrees minutes seconds converter is used to convert geographic coordinates from decimal degrees format to the more traditional degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS) format.
Here are some sample conversions:
- 45.5° = 45° 30′ 0″
- -122.6819° = 122° 40′ 54.84″ W
- 0.7853° = 0° 47′ 7.08″
Decimal Degrees to Degrees Minutes Seconds Calculator
| Decimal Degrees | DMS Format | Conversion Equation | Usage Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40.7128° N | 40° 42′ 46.08″ N | D = 40, M = 0.7128 60 = 42.768, S = 0.768 60 = 46.08 | Mapping New York City coordinates |
| -74.0060° | 74° 0′ 21.6″ W | D = 74, M = 0.0060 60 = 0.36, S = 0.36 60 = 21.6 | Navigating to a specific longitude in NYC |
| 51.5074° N | 51° 30′ 26.64″ N | D = 51, M = 0.5074 60 = 30.444, S = 0.444 60 = 26.64 | Locating London’s latitude |
| 0.1275° E | 0° 7′ 39″ E | D = 0, M = 0.1275 60 = 7.65, S = 0.65 60 = 39 | Precision mapping near the Prime Meridian |
| -33.8688° | 33° 52′ 7.68″ S | D = 33, M = 0.8688 60 = 52.128, S = 0.128 60 = 7.68 | Identifying Sydney’s latitude |
Decimal degrees represent latitude and longitude as a single number, where the whole number part represents degrees, and the fractional part represents minutes and seconds. For example, 40.7128° N represents a latitude of 40 degrees and 0.7128 of a degree.
Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS) format, on the other hand, breaks down the coordinate into three parts: degrees (°), minutes (‘), and seconds (“). For instance, the same latitude of 40.7128° N would be expressed as 40° 42’ 46” N in DMS format.
Decimal Degrees to Degrees Minutes Seconds Formula
The formula to convert decimal degrees to degrees, minutes, and seconds is as follows:
- Degrees = The integer part of the decimal degree
- Minutes = (Decimal degree – Degrees) * 60
- Seconds = (Minutes – integer part of Minutes) * 60
Let’s break down this formula with an example:
Convert 45.5° to DMS:
- Degrees = 45 (integer part of 45.5)
- Minutes = (45.5 – 45) 60 = 0.5 60 = 30
- Seconds = (30 – 30) 60 = 0 60 = 0
Therefore, 45.5° = 45° 30′ 0″
Another example:
Convert -122.6819° to DMS:
- Degrees = 122 (absolute value of the integer part)
- Minutes = (|-122.6819| – 122) 60 = 0.6819 60 = 40.914
- Seconds = (0.914) * 60 = 54.84
-122.6819° = 122° 40′ 54.84″ W (The negative sign indicates West for longitude)
How do you convert decimal degrees to degrees minutes seconds?
To convert decimal degrees to degrees minutes seconds, follow these steps:
- Extract the degrees: Take the integer part of the decimal degree. This becomes your degrees value.
- Calculate minutes: Multiply the remaining decimal portion by 60. The integer part of this result becomes your minutes value.
- Calculate seconds: Take the remaining decimal portion from step 2, multiply it by 60. This result, rounded to the desired precision, becomes your seconds value.
- Determine direction: For latitude, positive values are North (N), negative values are South (S). For longitude, positive values are East (E), negative values are West (W).
Let’s convert 37.7749° N to DMS as an example:
- Degrees: 37
- Minutes: (0.7749 * 60) = 46.494
- Integer part: 46
- Seconds: (0.494 * 60) = 29.64
- Rounded to two decimal places: 29.64
Therefore, 37.7749° N = 37° 46′ 29.64″ N
How to convert degree to degree and minutes?
Its simplified version of the DMS conversion. Here’s how to do it:
- Extract the degrees: Take the integer part of the decimal degree.
- Calculate minutes: Multiply the remaining decimal portion by 60. Round this result to the desired precision.
- Determine direction: Use the same rules as in the full DMS conversion.
For example, let’s convert 45.75° to degrees and minutes:
- Degrees: 45
- Minutes: (0.75 * 60) = 45
Therefore, 45.75° = 45° 45′
What is the angle of 30.283 into a degree minute second format?
Let’s convert 30.283° to DMS format:
- Degrees: 30 (integer part of 30.283)
- Minutes: (0.283 * 60) = 16.98
- Integer part: 16
- Seconds: (0.98 * 60) = 58.8
- Rounded to one decimal place: 58.8
Therefore, 30.283° = 30° 16′ 58.8″
How do you convert decimal minutes to seconds?
Here’s a step-by-step process:
- Identify the whole number of minutes.
- Isolate the decimal portion of the minutes.
- Multiply the decimal portion by 60.
- Round the result to the desired precision.
For example, let’s convert 30.5 minutes to minutes and seconds:
- Whole minutes: 30
- Decimal portion: 0.5
- 0.5 * 60 = 30 seconds
30.5 minutes = 30 minutes 30 seconds
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