Convert latitude and longitude without guessing the format
Coordinates describe the same point in several different ways. A phone or web map usually gives decimal degrees, a survey note may use degrees, minutes and seconds, and GIS or field equipment may expect UTM eastings and northings or an MGRS grid reference. This converter shows all of them together, so you can copy the format your next map, GPS device or dataset needs.
You do not have to tell the tool which format you have. Paste a coordinate pair, a UTM or MGRS reference, a Plus Code, a geohash or a Google Maps link, and the format is recognised automatically. You can also click the map, drag the marker, search for an address, or press Ctrl+V anywhere on the page.
Coordinate formats explained
| Format | Example for New York | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Decimal degrees (DD) | 40.712800, −74.006000 | Web maps, spreadsheets, APIs |
| Degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS) | 40°42′46.08″N 74°00′21.60″W | Navigation, printed maps, property records |
| Degrees and decimal minutes (DDM) | 40°42.7680′N 74°00.3600′W | Marine and aviation GPS, geocaching |
| UTM | 18T 583959 4507351 | GIS, surveying, metric distance work |
| MGRS / USNG | 18T WL 83959 07350 | Military, search and rescue, emergency services |
| Plus Code | 87G7PX7V+4J | Addresses where there are no street names |
| Geohash | dr5regw3pp | Databases and location indexing |
| Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) | −8238310.24, 4970071.58 | Web map tiles and web GIS |
How to convert DMS to decimal degrees
Decimal degrees = D + M ÷ 60 + S ÷ 3,600. Make the result negative for south latitudes and west longitudes.
For example, 40°42′46.08″N becomes 40 + 42/60 + 46.08/3600 = 40.7128°. The converter accepts degree, minute and second symbols, plain spaces, and letters such as 40d 42m 46s N.
Latitude first, longitude second
Most mapping services write a pair as latitude, longitude. Latitude runs from −90° at the South Pole to 90° at the North Pole; longitude runs from −180° to 180° east or west of Greenwich. Some GIS software and GeoJSON use the opposite order (X, Y = longitude, latitude). When the first number is larger than 90, the converter reads it as longitude automatically; otherwise use Swap if the point lands in the wrong place.
Coordinate accuracy and decimal places
- 4 decimal places are precise to about 11 metres.
- 5 decimal places are about 1 metre.
- 6 decimal places are about 10 centimetres — more than a phone GPS can deliver.
Use the Precision buttons to choose how many digits every format shows. Projection formulas are exact; the real-world accuracy depends on how the position was measured.
Frequently asked questions
What coordinate formats does this converter support?
Decimal degrees, degrees-minutes-seconds, degrees and decimal minutes, UTM, MGRS/USNG, Plus Codes, geohash and Web Mercator (EPSG:3857), plus GeoJSON and WKT for developers. All values use the WGS 84 datum used by GPS.
Can I paste a Google Maps link?
Yes. Paste the full link from your browser address bar and the coordinates are read from it. Short share links (maps.app.goo.gl) do not contain coordinates until you open them.
Are latitude and longitude the same as UTM coordinates?
No. Latitude and longitude are angles on the globe. UTM projects the Earth into 60 numbered zones and gives positions as eastings and northings in metres.
Does CityLabMap store the coordinates I enter?
No. Conversions run in your browser. Recent points are kept only in your own browser, and coordinates are added to the page address only when you copy a link.