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Decimal degrees to DMS converter

Paste a coordinate in decimal degrees — like 40.7128, -74.0060 — and instantly get it back as degrees, minutes and seconds (DMS) with the right N/S/E/W direction. See the formula, a worked example and a live map, all in your browser.

Enter latitude and longitude in decimal degrees, separated by a comma. Negative values mean south or west.

Latitude (DMS)
40°42'46.1"N
Longitude (DMS)
74°00'21.6"W
Full DMS coordinate
40°42'46.1"N 74°00'21.6"W
Degrees, decimal minutes (DDM)
40°42.768'N 74°00.360'W
An in-between format some GPS units and charts use.

Formuladegrees = whole part of the value; minutes = (remainder × 60), whole part; seconds = (that remainder × 60). The sign sets the hemisphere: + is N/E, − is S/W.

All coordinates use the WGS84 datum.

Drag the marker to adjust — or tap the map to move it.

What is decimal degrees to DMS conversion?

It rewrites a coordinate from decimal degrees (DD), a single number such as 40.7128, into degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS) like 40°42′46″N. Both describe the exact same point; DMS simply splits the fractional part into 60 minutes per degree and 60 seconds per minute, plus an N/S/E/W direction.

How to convert decimal degrees to DMS

  1. Enter your latitude and longitude in decimal degrees, separated by a comma (or tap “Use my location”).
  2. Read the latitude and longitude back as degrees, minutes and seconds with the correct N/S/E/W direction.
  3. Copy the full DMS coordinate, or the DDM version, with one tap — and check the point on the map.
  4. Need the reverse? Use the DMS to decimal tool to go from DMS back to DD.

Worked example: 40.7128° to DMS

StepCalculationResult
Degreeswhole part of 40.712840°
Minutes0.7128 × 60 = 42.768 → whole part42′
Seconds0.768 × 6046.1″
Directionvalue is positive (latitude)N
DMS resultcombine the parts40°42′46.1″N

When to use DMS vs decimal degrees

Decimal degrees are best for apps, links, spreadsheets and code because they are one tidy number. DMS is the traditional notation on paper maps, nautical charts and aviation, and is easier to read aloud. If you need other grids, the coordinate converter also outputs UTM, MGRS, Plus Codes and Geohash from the same point.

Is the conversion accurate and private?

Yes. This is an exact mathematical transform on the WGS84 datum, so no precision is lost — only the formatting changes. Seconds are shown to one decimal place (about 3 m), which is plenty for everyday use. Everything runs in your browser; your coordinates are never uploaded.

See all tools →

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert decimal degrees to degrees, minutes, seconds by hand?
Take the whole number as the degrees. Multiply the decimal remainder by 60 — the whole part is the minutes. Multiply that new remainder by 60 to get the seconds. A positive value means N or E, negative means S or W. For example, 40.7128 becomes 40°42′46.1″N.

What do N, S, E and W mean in a DMS coordinate?
They are the hemisphere. Positive latitude is North (N), negative is South (S); positive longitude is East (E), negative is West (W). So -74.0060 longitude becomes 74°00′21.6″W. This tool adds the right letter automatically based on the sign of each value.

What is the difference between DMS and DDM?
DMS uses whole minutes plus seconds, e.g. 40°42′46″N. DDM (degrees, decimal minutes) keeps the minutes as a decimal and drops seconds, e.g. 40°42.768′N. DDM is common on marine GPS units and charts. This converter shows both from your decimal input.

How do I go from DMS back to decimal degrees?
Divide the seconds by 3600 and the minutes by 60, then add them to the degrees, and apply the sign for S or W. The quickest way is the DMS to decimal converter, which does it instantly and shows a map.

Is this decimal to DMS converter free?
Yes — it’s completely free, needs no account, and runs entirely in your browser. Your coordinates are never sent to a server. You can also convert many formats at once with the coordinate converter.