How to Convert Latitude to Degrees

Latitude is a geographic coordinate that together with longitude describes a location on the earth's surface. The latitude is an angle and is measured in degrees, minutes and seconds -- 55 degrees, 12 minutes, 36 seconds, for example. For various calculations, you often need to express the latitude in the degree decimal form. Use a calculator or available online services to convert the latitude to degrees.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator
• Computer

Instructions

With a Calculator

1. Divide the minute part of the latitude value by 60. For example, if the latitude is 55 degrees, 12 minutes, 36 seconds, then 12 minutes / 60 = 0.2.

2. Divide the second part of the latitude value by 3600. In our example, it will be 36 seconds / 3600 = 0.01.

3. Add up the degree part of the latitude and the numbers obtained in steps 1 and 2 to convert the latitude into degrees. In our example, the latitude is 55 + 0.2 + 0.01 = 55.21 degrees.

Using Online Converter

1. Open a web browser on your computer and navigate to the Latitude/Longitude Conversions web page (see Resources).

2. Type the latitude value in the fields "Enter Degrees Minutes Seconds latitude" and then click on the button "Convert to Decimal." For example, enter the following latitude: 12 degrees 31 minutes, 26 seconds.

3. Read the latitude in degrees in the field "Results." In our example the latitude is 12.523889 degrees.

References

• Idaho State University: Geographic Coordinate System

Resources

• Federal Communications Commission: Latitude/Longitude Conversions