Coordinates Finder

Find your current latitude and longitude with one tap, or paste any coordinates in decimal, DMS or DDM format and see them converted to every common format — decimal degrees, degrees-minutes-seconds, degrees and decimal minutes, UTM and Open Location Code (Plus Code). Add a second point to get the distance and compass bearing between them.

Coordinate formats explained

Latitude comes first and measures north–south (−90° to +90°); longitude comes second and measures east–west (−180° to +180°). In decimal degrees, south and west are negative.

How to convert between formats

1. From DMS to decimal: degrees + minutes ÷ 60 + seconds ÷ 3,600, then make it negative for S or W.
2. From decimal to DMS: the whole number is degrees; multiply the remainder by 60 for minutes; multiply the new remainder by 60 for seconds.
3. From DDM to decimal: degrees + decimal minutes ÷ 60.

Example: 48°51′30″N = 48 + 51/60 + 30/3600 = 48.858333°.

How precise are coordinates?

Phone GPS is usually accurate to about 5–10 metres outdoors, less in cities or indoors. The tool shows the accuracy your device reports.

Distance and bearing

The distance between two points is calculated along the Earth’s surface using the haversine formula on a sphere with the mean Earth radius, which is accurate to within about 0.5% — plenty for planning. The initial bearing is the compass direction you would start travelling from point A to reach point B on the shortest path; on long routes the bearing changes along the way.

Worked example

Entering the Eiffel Tower’s coordinates (48.85837, 2.29448) shows 48°51′30.13″N 2°17′40.13″E, UTM 31U 448251 E 5411952 N and Plus Code 8FW4V75V+8Q. Adding Big Ben in DMS (51°30′03″N 0°07′28″W) gives a great-circle distance of about 340 km (211 miles) with an initial bearing of about 330° — north-north-west.

Latitude and longitude basics

Using coordinates in spreadsheets and apps

Spreadsheets and mapping apps work best with decimal degrees in two separate columns — latitude and longitude. To convert a column of DMS values in a spreadsheet, split degrees, minutes and seconds into separate columns and use =D + M/60 + S/3600, adding a minus sign for south or west. When sharing with others, say which format and datum you are using.

Troubleshooting input

• Separate latitude and longitude with a comma or space.
• Use N/S/E/W letters or negative numbers, not both.
• Degree, minute and second symbols are optional: 48 51 30 N 2 17 40 E works.
• If latitude is over 90, the numbers are probably reversed.

Datums and why coordinates can differ

Coordinates are defined relative to a model of the Earth called a datum. GPS and most web maps use WGS 84, but older paper maps and some national systems use different datums, which can shift positions by tens or even hundreds of metres. If coordinates from a paper map don’t match your GPS, check which datum the map uses. The converter assumes WGS 84 throughout.

Coordinates for emergencies and outdoors

Before a remote trip, note the coordinates of trailheads and shelters and carry a way to read your position offline.

Sharing coordinates safely

• Share decimal degrees with 5 decimal places for meeting points.
• Double-check the order: latitude, then longitude.
• For emergencies, many services accept coordinates or Plus Codes — read them out slowly.
• Be careful posting your home coordinates publicly.
• Geotagged photos may contain coordinates in their metadata.

Privacy

Your location is only requested when you press “Use my location”, is processed in your browser and is never sent or stored by this page. The optional map link opens OpenStreetMap in a new tab only if you click it.