GPS Coordinate Converter — Convert Between DD, DMS and DDM Formats Online

Instantly convert geographic coordinates between Decimal Degrees (DD), Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS) and Degrees Decimal Minutes (DDM). Includes map preview, copy to clipboard, and direct links to Google Maps and OpenStreetMap

Coordinate Conversion
3 formats
Input format

+ values: North (N) and East (E) · − values: South (S) and West (W)

Result

Enter coordinates to convert

Coordinates of Famous Landmarks
New York — Times Square

The most visited tourist attraction in the world, located in Midtown Manhattan. Known for its bright lights, Broadway theaters, and the famous New Year's Eve ball drop

London — Big Ben

The iconic clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and a symbol of London

Paris — Eiffel Tower

Built in 1889 as the entrance arch for the World's Fair, the Eiffel Tower stands 330 m tall and receives nearly 7 million visitors per year

Tokyo — Mount Fuji

Japan's highest peak at 3,776 m and an active stratovolcano. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most climbed mountain in the world

Sydney — Opera House

UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 20th century's most distinctive buildings. Hosts over 1,500 performances attended by more than 1.2 million people annually

Dubai — Burj Khalifa

The world's tallest building at 828 m (163 floors). Located in Downtown Dubai, it dominates the city skyline and offers an observation deck at 555 m

Rio de Janeiro — Christ the Redeemer

An Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ, 30 m tall atop 710 m Corcovado mountain. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a symbol of Brazil

Cairo — Great Pyramid of Giza

The oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex. The only surviving wonder of the ancient world, built around 2560 BC

GPS Coordinate Formats Explained
Decimal Degrees (DD)

The most widely used format in modern digital applications. Coordinates are expressed as a single floating-point number for both latitude and longitude. Positive values indicate North and East; negative values indicate South and West. Example: 40.758896, -73.985130 — Times Square, New York. DD is the standard format for Google Maps, web APIs, GeoJSON, KML files, and virtually all modern mapping software.

Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS)

The traditional format used in cartography and classic navigation. Each coordinate is split into three components: degrees (°), minutes (′), and seconds (″). One minute equals 1/60 of a degree (≈1.85 km at the equator). One second equals 1/60 of a minute (≈31 m). Example: 40°45′32.03″N, 73°59′6.47″W. DMS is used on paper topographic maps, official geodetic documents, astronomical calculations, and some older GPS devices.

Degrees Decimal Minutes (DDM)

A hybrid format between DD and DMS: degrees are whole numbers, minutes contain a decimal fraction, and seconds are omitted. Example: 40°45.534′N, 73°59.108′W. Also known as DM or Deg Min. DDM is the standard in marine and aviation navigation — it's used in nautical charts, aeronautical publications, and GPS plotters by Garmin and Lowrance. Most handheld marine and fishing GPS units default to this format.

Frequently Asked Questions About GPS Coordinate Formats
How do I convert DMS to decimal degrees (DD)?

Formula: DD = Degrees + Minutes÷60 + Seconds÷3600. If the direction is S or W, the result is negative. Example: 40°45′32.03″N = 40 + 45÷60 + 32.03÷3600 ≈ 40.758897°. Use the converter above — enter your DMS coordinates and get the DD result instantly.

What is the difference between DMS and DDM?

In DMS (Degrees Minutes Seconds) all three components are separate integers plus decimal seconds: 40°45′32.03″. In DDM (Degrees Decimal Minutes) there are no seconds — minutes carry the decimal fraction: 40°45.534′. DDM is preferred in marine and aviation navigation; DMS is standard in cartography and surveying.

What do positive and negative coordinates mean in DD format?

Positive latitude means North (N), negative means South (S). Positive longitude means East (E), negative means West (W). For example, New York: 40.758896 (N), -73.985130 (W — negative longitude). Sydney, Australia: -33.856784 (S — negative latitude), 151.215297 (E).

How do I copy coordinates from Google Maps?

Right-click on any location in Google Maps. The coordinates in DD format will appear at the top of the context menu. Click them to copy automatically. Then paste into our converter to get DMS or DDM format. On mobile, tap and hold on a spot to drop a pin, then tap the coordinates shown at the bottom of the screen.

What are the GPS coordinates of New York City?

Coordinates of Times Square, New York: DD: 40.758896, -73.985130 · DMS: 40°45′32.03″N, 73°59′6.47″W · DDM: 40°45.534′N, 73°59.108′W. Click "Load into converter" in the reference locations section to see all three formats displayed automatically.

Which format should I use — DD, DMS or DDM?

Use DD for web applications, Google Maps, APIs, GeoJSON and KML files — it's the universal digital standard. Use DMS for paper topographic maps, surveying documents, and astronomy. Use DDM for marine navigation, aviation charts, and Garmin or Lowrance GPS devices.

How accurate are GPS coordinates in different formats?

1° of latitude ≈ 111 km. 1′ (minute) ≈ 1.85 km. 1″ (second) ≈ 31 m. In DD: 4 decimal places ≈ 11 m accuracy, 6 decimal places ≈ 0.1 m. For most navigation purposes, 5–6 decimal places in DD is sufficient. Modern smartphones achieve ±3–5 m GPS accuracy; differential GPS can reach ±0.1 m.

Can I get my current location coordinates?

Yes. Click "My Location" in the converter. Your browser will ask for permission to access your geolocation. Once confirmed, your coordinates will appear in all three formats instantly. Accuracy depends on your device and environment: GPS ±3–5 m, Wi-Fi positioning ±15–50 m, cellular network ±100–500 m.

GPS Coordinate Converter — How to Convert Between DD, DMS and DDM

Geographic coordinates are a pair of numbers that uniquely identify any point on Earth's surface: latitude (distance from the equator, ranging from −90° to +90°) and longitude (distance from the Prime Meridian, ranging from −180° to +180°). The challenge is that different industries use different formats to express the same coordinates. Web developers use Decimal Degrees, surveyors use DMS, and marine navigators prefer DDM. Our GPS coordinate converter lets you switch between all three formats instantly — no manual calculation required.

Decimal Degrees (DD) — the modern standard

Decimal Degrees is the default format for the digital world. Latitude and longitude are each expressed as a single floating-point number: 40.758896, -73.985130 for Times Square in New York. Positive latitude is north of the equator; negative is south. Positive longitude is east of Greenwich; negative is west. DD is used by Google Maps, Apple Maps, OpenStreetMap, all geocoding APIs, GeoJSON, KML, and CSV exports. To convert DD to DMS, take the integer part as degrees, multiply the decimal by 60 for minutes, then multiply the remaining decimal by 60 again for seconds.

Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS) — the cartographic standard

Degrees Minutes Seconds is the classic format inherited from astronomy and traditional navigation. Each coordinate is divided into three parts: whole degrees (°), whole minutes (′), and decimal seconds (″). One degree contains 60 minutes; one minute contains 60 seconds. At the equator, one second of latitude equals approximately 31 meters. Example: 40°45′32.03″N, 73°59′6.47″W. DMS appears on USGS topographic maps, official geodetic surveys, military maps, and astronomical coordinate systems. To convert DMS to DD: DD = degrees + minutes÷60 + seconds÷3600.

Degrees Decimal Minutes (DDM) — the navigator's choice

Degrees Decimal Minutes sits between DD and DMS: degrees are whole numbers, minutes carry the decimal fraction, and there are no seconds. Example: 40°45.534′N, 73°59.108′W. DDM is the standard coordinate format in marine navigation — nautical charts, NOAA publications, and the US Coast Guard all use it. Aviation charts and flight planning software also rely on DDM. GPS chartplotters by Garmin, Lowrance, and Humminbird default to DDM. To convert DDM to DD: DD = degrees + decimal minutes÷60.

Coordinate precision and real-world accuracy

The number of decimal places in your coordinates directly determines their real-world accuracy. In Decimal Degrees format: 2 decimal places give roughly 1.1 km precision — enough to identify a city district. 4 decimal places reach about 11 meters — suitable for turn-by-turn navigation. 6 decimal places achieve approximately 0.1 meters — sufficient for professional surveying. When choosing a format, match it to your use case: DD for web and APIs, DDM for marine and aviation GPS devices, DMS for official maps and survey documents.

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