Decimal Degrees to DMS Calculator
Convert a decimal-degree GPS coordinate into degrees, minutes and seconds (DMS) format.
About the Decimal Degrees to DMS Calculator
GPS devices and mapping software usually work with decimal degrees (like 40.689333°), but coordinates are traditionally also expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds (DMS) — a format similar to reading a clock, where each degree splits into 60 minutes and each minute splits into 60 seconds.
Formula: Degrees = whole-number part · Minutes = whole-number part of (remaining fraction × 60) · Seconds = remaining fraction × 60
For example, 40.689333° breaks down into 40° 41′ 21.6″ — the approximate latitude of the Statue of Liberty. The same method applies to negative values (used for southern latitudes or western longitudes), keeping the sign on the overall result.
This is the reverse of converting DMS coordinates to decimal degrees, and is useful for reading GPS coordinates back into the traditional format used on paper maps, surveying documents and older navigation equipment.