DMS to Decimal Degrees Converter
Convert degrees, minutes, seconds format to decimal degrees for angular measurements
Angle Conversion Calculator
Enter angle in degrees, minutes, and seconds format (e.g., 30° 30' 36")
Conversion Results
Conversion Formula: DMS → Decimal: degrees + (minutes/60) + (seconds/3600)
Example Conversions
Example 1: 30° 30' 36" to Decimal
Given: 30° 30' 36" (DMS format)
Step 1: Apply formula: decimal = degrees + (minutes/60) + (seconds/3600)
Step 2: decimal = 30 + (30/60) + (36/3600)
Step 3: decimal = 30 + 0.5 + 0.01
Result: 30.51°
Example 2: 75° 45' 15" to Decimal
Given: 75° 45' 15" (DMS format)
Step 1: Minutes in decimal = 45/60 = 0.75
Step 2: Seconds in decimal = 15/3600 = 0.004167
Step 3: Total = 75 + 0.75 + 0.004167 = 75.754167°
Result: 75.754167°
Example 3: Negative Angle -12° 15' 30"
Given: -12° 15' 30" (DMS format)
Step 1: Calculate positive value = 12 + (15/60) + (30/3600)
Step 2: = 12 + 0.25 + 0.008333 = 12.258333°
Step 3: Apply negative sign
Result: -12.258333°
Conversion Formulas
DMS to Decimal
D + M/60 + S/3600
• D = degrees
• M = minutes
• S = seconds
Decimal to DMS
• Degrees = whole number part
• Minutes = (decimal part × 60) whole number
• Seconds = (minutes decimal part × 60)
Quick Reference
Precision Information
Decimal degrees shown to 6 decimal places
Seconds shown to 2 decimal places
Suitable for most practical applications
GPS coordinates typically use 5-6 decimal places
Understanding Angle Conversion
DMS Format (Traditional)
Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (DMS) is the traditional way to express angles. It breaks down an angle into three hierarchical components, similar to how time is broken down into hours, minutes, and seconds.
Why Convert DMS to Decimal?
- •Easier mathematical calculations
- •Compatible with computer systems and GPS
- •Required for most mapping software
- •Standard format for scientific calculations
Conversion Process
Basic Formula:
Decimal = D + M/60 + S/3600
Step-by-Step Process
- 1.Take the degrees as the whole number part
- 2.Divide minutes by 60 to get decimal degrees
- 3.Divide seconds by 3600 to get decimal degrees
- 4.Add all components together
- 5.Apply negative sign if angle is negative
Remember: 1 degree = 60 minutes, 1 minute = 60 seconds. So 1 degree = 3600 seconds total.