Coordinate converter
Paste coordinates in any common format and get every other one: decimal degrees, DMS, degrees decimal minutes, UTM and MGRS.
| Decimal degrees (DD) | 40.446111, -79.982222 | |
|---|---|---|
| Degrees minutes seconds (DMS) | 40° 26′ 46.0″ N, 79° 58′ 56.0″ W | |
| Degrees decimal minutes (DDM) | 40° 26.767′ N, 79° 58.933′ W | |
| UTM | Zone 17N (band T) · 586,310 m E · 4,477,770 m N | |
| MGRS | 17TNE8630977770 |
DMS to decimal, one step at a time
- Minutes to degrees: 26 ÷ 60 = 0.433333
- Seconds to degrees: 46 ÷ 3600 = 0.012778
- Add them up: 40 + 0.433333 + 0.012778 = 40.446111
- Direction N is positive: 40.446111°
A degree is split like an hour: 60 minutes of arc, each of 60 seconds. One minute of latitude is one nautical mile (1,852 m), and one second is about 31 m.
Which format should I use?
- Decimal degrees: web maps, spreadsheets, APIs, GeoJSON (note GeoJSON puts longitude first).
- DMS: printed maps, property deeds, aviation charts, Wikipedia.
- DDM: marine GPS units and geocaching (N 40° 26.767′).
- UTM: topographic maps, surveying, search and rescue, measuring in metres.
- MGRS: military and some emergency services.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert degrees, minutes, seconds to decimal degrees?
Decimal = degrees + minutes/60 + seconds/3600, then make it negative for South or West. Example: 40° 26′ 46″ N = 40 + 26/60 + 46/3600 = 40.4461°.
How do I convert decimal degrees to DMS?
Take the whole number as degrees. Multiply the remainder by 60: the whole part is minutes. Multiply the new remainder by 60 for seconds. Example: 40.4461° → 40°, 0.4461 × 60 = 26.766′ → 26′, 0.766 × 60 = 46″.
What is UTM?
The Universal Transverse Mercator system splits the world into 60 north–south zones, each 6° of longitude wide, and gives positions in metres east (easting) and north (northing) within the zone. It is popular for hiking maps and surveying because distances are easy to measure in metres.
What is MGRS?
The Military Grid Reference System, used by NATO forces and many emergency services. It is based on UTM but uses a grid-zone designator plus a two-letter 100 km square and numeric easting/northing, such as 18TWL8385407144.
Does the datum matter?
Yes. Everything here uses WGS-84, the datum of GPS. Old paper maps may use local datums such as NAD27 or OSGB36, which can shift positions by tens to hundreds of metres.