How to Use the GPS Coordinate Converter
GPS coordinates are commonly written in two formats. Decimal Degrees (DD) expresses latitude or longitude as a single decimal number, while Degrees-Minutes-Seconds (DMS) breaks it down into degrees, minutes, and seconds. Google Maps typically uses DD, but navigation charts, surveying, and some older GPS devices still use DMS.
Enter a decimal coordinate above (e.g., 37.5665) to instantly convert it into DMS format (e.g., 37° 33' 59.4"). Below, enter degrees, minutes, and seconds separately, choose whether it's North/East or South/West, and get the decimal degree equivalent.
Use this tool to enter travel coordinates into a map app, convert DMS coordinates from an old map or document into the DD format your GPS device expects, or move surveying data between coordinate systems. Southern and western coordinates are represented with a negative sign in decimal degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Latitude ranges from 0° at the equator to 90° north or south. Longitude ranges from 0° at the prime meridian to 180° east or west. Southern latitudes and western longitudes are typically written as negative numbers in decimal degrees.
Google Maps and most navigation apps use DD (decimal) format. Nautical charts, surveying documents, and some GPS receivers often require DMS (degrees-minutes-seconds) format instead — convert to whichever format your device or service expects.