Convert degrees, minutes and seconds (DMS) to decimal degrees, or decimal degrees to DMS, for angles or latitude and longitude coordinates.

Whole number below 60; blank means 0.

Below 60; blank means 0.

Enter positive degrees, minutes and seconds; choose Negative angle, S or W for values below zero.

Optional settings

Degrees Minutes Seconds Formula

The following formula is used to calculate total degrees from degrees, minutes, and seconds.

Degrees = sign × (D + M / 60 + S / 3600)
  • Where D is degrees
  • M is minutes
  • S is seconds

Use nonnegative whole degrees and arcminutes, and nonnegative arcseconds below 60. Add D + M/60 + S/3600, then apply the direction to the entire angle. South and west are negative; north and east are positive.

DMS Definition

DMS means degrees, arcminutes, and arcseconds. It is an angular notation used in navigation and other fields; it does not by itself determine a vessel’s movement or measurement accuracy.

How to calculate degrees from DMS?

How to calculate degrees from DMS?

  1. First, determine the number of whole degrees.

    Measure the number of whole degrees.

  2. Next, determine the number of minutes.

    Measure the number of minutes.

  3. Next, determine the number of seconds.

    Measure the number of seconds.

  4. Finally, calculate the exact degrees.

    Calculate the exact degrees using the formula above.

FAQ

What is DMS?

DMS is short for the term degrees-minutes-seconds. It's used most often in nautical situations where a direction is trying to be described. DMS and decimal degrees describe the same angle; neither notation guarantees greater accuracy. For example, 12.012359° is approximately 12° 0′ 44.49″.