Welcome to the Easy Converters Degrees to DMS Converter — a simple and accurate tool to convert decimal degree values into Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds (DMS) format. Whether you're a surveyor, geographer, pilot, or student, this converter helps you break down geographic coordinates into human-readable navigation-friendly values.
DMS is a format used to express angles or geographic coordinates. It divides degrees into smaller sub-units:
For example: 25.5083° → 25° 30′ 30″
Here’s the step-by-step method:
Example: Convert 72.345° to DMS:
Degrees = 72
Minutes = 0.345 × 60 = 20.7
Seconds = 0.7 × 60 = 42
DMS = 72° 20′ 42″
| Decimal Degrees | DMS Format |
|---|---|
| 45.0 | 45° 0′ 0″ |
| 23.567 | 23° 34′ 1.2″ |
| 90.2555 | 90° 15′ 19.8″ |
| -15.786 | -15° 47′ 9.6″ |
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) commonly output coordinates in either Decimal Degrees (DD) or DMS format. Many digital maps (such as Google Earth, marine navigation apps, and drone flight planners) support both, and this converter allows smooth translation between the two systems.
function decimalToDMS(deg) {
const degrees = Math.floor(Math.abs(deg));
const minutesFloat = (Math.abs(deg) - degrees) * 60;
const minutes = Math.floor(minutesFloat);
const seconds = ((minutesFloat - minutes) * 60).toFixed(2);
return `${deg < 0 ? "-" : ""}${degrees}° ${minutes}′ ${seconds}″`;
}
This JavaScript function is ideal for online apps, forms, or student tools needing real-time conversion.
This converter properly handles negative values, which represent directions:
Example: -34.76° → 34° 45′ 36″ S
This converter aligns with key learning objectives in subjects such as:
Decimal Degrees: Easier for computers and digital systems to process
DMS: Easier for humans to read, especially in physical maps and field equipment
This converter bridges both formats, offering the best of both worlds in usability and precision.
Need to convert multiple values? Our converter supports batch input, letting you convert an entire list of decimal degrees into DMS format with a single click. Ideal for:
Coordinate systems use degrees of latitude and longitude to pinpoint any location on Earth. Decimal and DMS formats are just two ways to represent those positions. Latitude ranges from -90° to +90°, while longitude ranges from -180° to +180°.
Our converter rounds seconds to two decimal places by default, giving you a balance of precision and readability. For high-precision needs (e.g., astronomical observation), we also support up to 6 decimal points.
This DMS Converter is fully mobile-optimized and accessible to screen readers, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast users. Whether you're in the field on a phone or at home with a tablet, the tool adapts to your screen.
1 degree = 60 minutes
1 minute = 60 seconds
76° 19′ 30″
Yes. Pilots and air traffic controllers use DMS for location and navigation information.
Negative signs indicate directions: South for latitude and West for longitude.
Many handheld GPS receivers, such as those used in hiking, aviation, or farming, offer the option to switch between Decimal Degrees (DD) and DMS formats. Our converter ensures compatibility by aligning with standard formatting protocols, making it easier to input or interpret coordinate values directly into:
Once you convert a decimal degree value into DMS format, you can use it to search precise locations on mapping tools. For example:
37° 46′ 45″ N, 122° 25′ 10″ W → San Francisco, CA48° 51′ 30″ N, 2° 17′ 40″ E → Eiffel Tower, ParisThis is particularly useful for location-based research, travel planning, and geotagging.
For educators, this converter can generate printable worksheets to help students practice conversion from decimal degrees to DMS format. Teachers can:
To match diverse use cases, our converter allows you to customize output format. For example:
This is helpful when copying values into tools that require specific formatting or delimiters.
In celestial navigation and space observation, object positions are recorded in DMS-style right ascension and declination coordinates. Astronomers use this format for:
For example, the position of the Orion Nebula may be written as:
RA: 05h 35m 17.3s
DEC: -05° 23′ 28″
Professionals working in remote areas use DMS values for plotting land boundaries, natural resource locations, or archaeological dig sites. Since satellite maps often accept only decimal degrees, this converter becomes essential for quick translation between the field and the software tools.
Beyond geography, angle conversions are necessary in fields like engineering, physics, and architecture. Converting angles from decimal to DMS is helpful for:
| Decimal Degrees | DMS Format | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 23.75° | 23° 45′ 0″ | Surveying / Aviation |
| -45.2125° | 45° 12′ 45″ S | Navigation / Mapping |
| 90.0° | 90° 0′ 0″ | Equator / Pole markers |
This converter is ideal for smart classrooms and online demonstrations. Teachers can:
Choose your preferred rounding level for seconds:
This ensures the output matches your scientific or engineering requirements.
Convert a list of values quickly. Example input:
28.125
-37.5425
89.9981
Results:
If you're developing a GPS app or educational software, you can use our tool as a reference for unit test cases. For example:
Input: 49.7563
Expected DMS: 49° 45′ 22.68″
Test assertEquals(convert(49.7563), "49° 45′ 22.68″");
Our converter also accounts for various edge cases that may occur when dealing with coordinate data:
The use of Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds dates back to ancient Babylonian astronomy, where base-60 numbering was standard. This same system forms the basis for modern geographic coordinate systems. Knowing DMS is not only practical — it connects us to thousands of years of global navigation history.
Several global systems and standards rely on DMS format:
This converter includes design elements that support users with disabilities:
We believe everyone should have access to powerful conversion tools, regardless of ability.
This converter can support alternate labels based on your region or preferred language:
Auto-language detection or manual toggle options help make the tool globally accessible.
Many digital cameras embed location metadata using DMS format in the EXIF data of images. Photographers and content creators use this converter to:
Google Earth and Google Maps accept DMS input directly. After converting from decimal, you can copy the result into the search bar. Example:
Input: 51.5074° (Latitude), -0.1278° (Longitude)
Output: 51° 30′ 26.64″ N, 0° 7′ 40.08″ W
Paste into Google Maps → Pinpointed location: London, UK
Our converter includes built-in validation to ensure clean, accurate input:
These checks help prevent incorrect location representation and ensure trustworthy conversions.
Upcoming features include:
| Format | Example | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Decimal Degrees | 41.40338, 2.17403 | Web apps, JSON APIs, Google Maps (DD) |
| DMS | 41° 24′ 12.2″ N, 2° 10′ 26.5″ E | Traditional maps, GPS devices, surveying |
| Degrees and Decimal Minutes (DDM) | 41° 24.203′ N, 2° 10.441′ E | Marine navigation, aviation |
When converting latitude and longitude, our converter adds appropriate hemisphere markers:
These are vital for ensuring correct global positioning, especially near equatorial or meridional lines.
The Degrees to Degrees, Minutes, Seconds Converter is an essential tool for geographers, navigators, surveyors, educators, and data professionals. Whether you're reading maps, plotting celestial paths, or configuring GPS coordinates, this intuitive and accurate converter gives you fast, reliable DMS values that are ready to use in any field application.