How to Convert Latitude Seconds to Decimals

Latitude is the angular distance north or south of the Equator, the imaginary horizontal line at the Earth's center that divides the northern and southern hemispheres. Horizontal lines on globes represent latitudes of constant distance from the Equator. Positions south of the Equator have negative values. For example 15°12'54" and -15°12'54" represent lines of latitude in the northern and southern hemisphere respectively that are of equal distance from the Equator. 12'54" is spoken "12 minutes and 54 seconds." This is a value less than a degree. There are 60 seconds in a minute, and 60 minutes in a degree.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator

Instructions

1. Divide the latitude seconds by 3600. Put it in decimal form. For example, suppose you need to convert 15°12'54" into decimal form. The number 54 represents the number of seconds of latitude arc. Divide 54 by 3600 to get 0.015 degrees.

2. Divide the latitude minutes by 60. Put it in decimal form. For example, if there are 12 minutes of latitude arc, then divide by 60 to get 0.2 degrees.

3. Add these two numbers to the number of degrees to get the total degrees of latitude in decimal form. For example, if the number of (whole) degrees of latitude is 15, the number of minutes is 12, and the number of seconds is 54, then the number of degrees in decimal form is 15+0.2+0.015 = 15.215 degrees.

4. Check your work at the online conversion calculator provided by the FCC.

Tips & Warnings

• Longitude measures the angle between vertical lines around the globe. These angles can be similarly converted to decimal form.

References

• FCC: Latitude and Longitude Minute/Second to Decimal Conversion Calculator