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Coordinates Converter

Convert coordinates between units instantly. Includes conversion tables, common equivalents, and calculation formulas. Get results you can export or share.

Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator

Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator

Formula

DD = D + M/60 + S/3600

Coordinates are converted through decimal degrees as the base format. DMS is broken into degrees plus minutes divided by 60 plus seconds divided by 3600. UTM conversion uses the Transverse Mercator projection with zone calculations based on longitude bands.

Worked Examples

Example 1: New York City Conversion

Problem:Convert 40.7128 N, 74.006 W from decimal degrees to DMS and UTM.

Solution:DMS: 40 + 0.7128 x 60 = 42.768 min -> 42 min + 0.768 x 60 = 46.08 sec\nLatitude: 40 degrees 42 min 46.08 sec N\nLongitude: 74 degrees 0 min 21.6 sec W\nUTM Zone: 18N, Easting: ~583960 m, Northing: ~4507523 m

Result:40 degrees 42 minutes 46.08 seconds N, 74 degrees 0 minutes 21.6 seconds W

Example 2: Southern Hemisphere

Problem:Convert DMS coordinates 33 degrees 51 min 31.68 sec S, 151 degrees 12 min 33.48 sec E to decimal.

Solution:Lat DD = -(33 + 51/60 + 31.68/3600) = -33.8588\nLon DD = 151 + 12/60 + 33.48/3600 = 151.2093\nThis is Sydney, Australia.

Result:-33.8588, 151.2093

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert DMS coordinates to decimal degrees?

To convert DMS to decimal degrees, take the degrees value and add the minutes divided by 60, plus the seconds divided by 3600. The formula is DD = D + M/60 + S/3600. If the direction is South or West, make the result negative. For example, 40 degrees 42 minutes 46.08 seconds N becomes 40 + 42/60 + 46.08/3600 = 40.7128 degrees. West longitude 74 degrees 0 minutes 21.6 seconds becomes -74.006 degrees.

Why are some coordinates negative?

In decimal degree notation, negative latitude values indicate positions south of the equator, and negative longitude values indicate positions west of the prime meridian (Greenwich). This convention eliminates the need for N/S/E/W direction letters. For example, New York at 40.7128 N, 74.006 W becomes 40.7128, -74.006 in decimal degrees. Sydney at 33.8688 S, 151.2093 E becomes -33.8688, 151.2093. The sign convention is universal in GPS devices and digital mapping.

References

Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator · Editorial policy