DMS to Decimal Degrees Converter

About This Tool

The converter turns DMS components into decimal degrees for latitude or longitude. It accepts degrees, minutes, seconds, and a hemisphere direction (N, S, E, W). It validates inputs, ensuring required fields are present and values are within geographic ranges. This tool is targeted at GIS practitioners, surveyors, mapping engineers, researchers, and developers who need a dependable numeric representation for coordinates in databases, web maps, or APIs.
The core calculation follows the conventional formula: decimal degrees = degrees + minutes/60 + seconds/3600. The sign is determined by direction: N and E are positive, S and W are negative. Validation checks enforce 0 ≤ minutes < 60, 0 ≤ seconds < 60, and non-negative degrees. Direction must be one of N, S, E, or W. When inputs pass validation, the tool returns a single decimal degree value suitable for use in latitude or longitude fields.
Benefits include reduced conversion errors, consistent data formats across datasets, and easier integration into automated workflows. Users can convert individual coordinates during data cleaning or batch process multiple DMS entries in ETL pipelines. The output is a precise numeric value with configurable precision, ready for storage in GIS databases, spatial analyses, or API requests.
Unique value propositions include explicit hemisphere handling, strict per-field validation, and clear, deterministic results without guesswork. This makes it suitable for professional geospatial work, survey data harmonization, or software development that requires robust coordinate input. Use cases range from validating legacy field notes to preparing coordinate lists for automated mapping tasks.

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