To convert decimal degrees to degrees and decimal minutes, enter the latitude and longitude. The converter keeps the whole degrees, multiplies the fraction by 60 to get decimal minutes and adds the N, S, E or W letter. It also accepts DMS input, converts lists, and runs entirely in your browser.
- Free, no signup
- Choose 1 to 6 minute decimals
- Batch: paste a whole list
- Runs in your browser
Convert many at once
One point per line, latitude first. Separate the values with a comma, tab or space. Decimal degrees, or degrees-minutes-seconds with N/S/E/W letters, are both accepted.
How to convert decimal degrees to DDM
- Enter the latitude and longitude. Use decimal degrees such as
40.689306and-74.0445. South and west are negative, or use S and W letters. - Choose the minute precision. Three decimals of a minute is about 1.9 m on the ground; two is about 18 m.
- Click Convert. The result appears as, for example,
40° 41.358' Nand74° 2.670' W, each with a copy button. - Or convert a list. Paste many, one per line, and download the results as a CSV.
The formula
Take the whole number of degrees from the absolute value. Multiply the leftover fraction by 60 to get minutes with a decimal part, then add the hemisphere letter from the sign:
degrees = floor(|decimal degrees|) minutes = (|decimal degrees| - degrees) × 60
If rounding the minutes gives 60.000, the converter carries one into the degrees, so you never see a minute value of 60.
Worked example
Convert 40.689306°, -74.044500°. For the latitude, the fraction 0.689306 × 60 = 41.35836, so 40° 41.358' N. For the longitude, the fraction 0.0445 × 60 = 2.67, so 74° 2.670' W (the minus sign becomes the W).
40° 41.358' N, 74° 2.670' W
That is the format a handheld GPS or a marine chart plotter shows.
Precision on the ground
| Minute decimals | Approximate size at the equator |
|---|---|
| 0 (whole minutes) | 1,852 m (one nautical mile) |
| 1 | 185 m |
| 2 | 18.5 m |
| 3 | 1.85 m |
| 4 | 0.185 m |
These are distances along a meridian. East-west distances shrink with the cosine of the latitude.
Common mistakes
- Reading decimal minutes as seconds.
41.358'is 41 minutes and 0.358 of a minute, not 41 minutes 35.8 seconds. If you need seconds, use decimal degrees to DMS. - Forgetting the hemisphere. The output uses letters, so the sign is not repeated. Do not type a minus sign in front of a value that already carries W or S.
- Rounding the degrees and minutes separately. Round only the final minutes. Rounding each part on its own can leave a minute value of 60.
What this converter does and does not do
- Format only. It changes how the angle is written and does not change datum. Use the CRS Converter to move between datums.
- Runs in your browser. No coordinates are sent to a server.
Related converters
To go the other way, use DDM to decimal degrees. For minutes and seconds see decimal degrees to DMS. For grid references, try lat long to UTM and lat long to MGRS.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert decimal degrees to degrees and decimal minutes?
Keep the whole degrees, multiply the remaining fraction by 60 to get the minutes, and add the N, S, E or W letter. For 40.689306 that gives 40° 41.358' N.
What does DDM mean?
Degrees and decimal minutes: whole degrees followed by minutes with a decimal part, such as 40° 41.358' N.
Where is DDM used?
Handheld GPS receivers, marine and aviation charts, and geocaching commonly use it. Many GPS apps can display it.
How are negative values written?
As the opposite hemisphere letter: a negative latitude becomes S and a negative longitude becomes W, with the number made positive.
How many minute decimals should I use?
Three decimals of a minute is about 1.85 m on the ground, which suits most field work. Use more only if your data is that precise.
Why do I never see 60.000 minutes?
If rounding would produce 60 minutes, the converter adds one degree and sets the minutes to zero.
Can I enter DMS instead of decimal degrees?
Yes. Degrees-minutes-seconds input with N/S/E/W letters is accepted and converted to DDM.
What is the difference between DDM and DMS?
DMS splits the fraction of a degree into minutes and whole seconds. DDM keeps decimal minutes. Both describe the same point.
Does it change the datum?
No. It only changes the notation of the same coordinate.
Can I convert a list at once?
Yes. Paste one entry per line into the batch box, click Convert list, then copy the results or download them as a CSV. Lines that cannot be read are flagged with the reason instead of being skipped silently.
Does it send my coordinates to a server?
No. The conversion runs in your browser, and once the page has loaded it needs no connection.
Related tools and guides
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Request a consultationLast updated 2026-10-15. Published by Sagarmekhla GIS Consultancy.