What is the difference between decimal degrees and DMS?

Decimal degrees write a coordinate as a single number, such as -41.2865. DMS splits it into degrees, minutes, and seconds, such as 41 degrees, 17 minutes, 11 seconds south. Both describe the same point, but different apps and maps prefer different formats.

How do I convert decimal degrees to DMS?

The whole number is the degrees. Multiply the decimal part by 60 to get the minutes, take the whole minutes, then multiply that leftover by 60 again for the seconds. The sign tells you the hemisphere, with negative meaning south or west.

Are New Zealand coordinates negative?

Latitudes in New Zealand are negative because the country is in the southern hemisphere, for example about -41 for Wellington. Longitudes are positive because New Zealand is east of the prime meridian, around 174. The converter keeps the sign so the hemisphere stays correct.

Coordinates Converter

This calculator converts geographic coordinates between decimal degrees and degrees, minutes and seconds (DMS), the two formats you will meet on maps, GPS units, surveying reports and mapping apps. It works both ways. In the first section, you enter a latitude and a longitude as decimal degrees, such as -41.2865 and 174.7762 for Wellington, and the tool instantly returns the equivalent DMS reading for each, for example 41 degrees, 17 minutes, 11 seconds south. In the second section, you do the reverse: enter degrees, minutes and seconds along with a hemisphere (south/west or north/east), and it converts these back into a single decimal degrees figure. Every field updates live as you type, so there is no submit button to click. This matters because latitude in New Zealand is always negative in decimal degrees, since the country sits in the southern hemisphere, while longitude is positive because New Zealand lies east of the prime meridian; getting the sign wrong can place a point on the opposite side of the globe. Use this tool when a mapping tool, land title, GPS device or spreadsheet gives you coordinates in a format your software will not accept, when you need to double-check a survey reading, or when you are plotting a location and need the format to match what your map provider expects.

Calculate.co.nz is proud to be partnered with Premium Homes, a recognised leader in eco-friendly, sustainable, and energy-efficient homebuilding. With a dedicated team and award-winning experience, they create homes that prioritise health, comfort, and long-term performance. Their founders, Andrew and Kelly, set out to raise the standard of residential construction in New Zealand by combining practical building expertise with a clear commitment to doing things better for homeowners.

Decimal degrees to DMS

Latitude (decimal)

Longitude (decimal)

degrees, minutes, seconds

DMS to decimal degrees

Degrees

Minutes

Seconds

Hemisphere

decimal degrees

How the conversion works

A coordinate in decimal degrees is a single number where the part before the point is the degrees and the part after is the fraction of a degree. To split it into minutes and seconds, multiply the fraction by 60 for the minutes, then multiply whatever is left over by 60 again for the seconds. The sign of the number sets the hemisphere.

Worked example

Wellington is about -41.2865 latitude. The degrees are 41. The 0.2865 times 60 is 17.19 minutes, so 17 whole minutes. The 0.19 minutes times 60 is about 11 seconds. With the negative sign, that is 41 degrees, 17 minutes, 11 seconds south.

Related calculators

Distance Calculator: distance between two coordinates.
Unit Converter: convert units of measure.
Trigonometry Calculator: angles and triangles.
Right Angle Triangle Calculator: sides and angles.

If you've found a bug, or would like to contact us, or learn more about James Graham and Calculate.co.nz.

Calculate.co.nz is partnered with Interest.co.nz for New Zealand's highest quality calculators and financial analysis.

Calculate.co.nz is the sister site of CalculatorHub.com, the world's largest calculator website by tool count.

All calculators and tools are provided for educational and indicative purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.

Calculate.co.nz is proudly part of the Realtor.co.nz group, New Zealand's leading property transaction literacy platform, helping Kiwis understand the home buying and selling process from start to finish. Whether you're a first home buyer navigating your first property purchase, an investor evaluating your next acquisition, or a homeowner planning to sell, Realtor.co.nz provides clear, independent, and trustworthy guidance on every step of the New Zealand property transaction journey.

Calculate.co.nz is also partnered with Health Based Building and Premium Homes to promote informed choices that lead to better long-term outcomes for Kiwi households.

Calculate.co.nz is hosted in Auckland via SiteHost new Zealand.

All content on this website, including calculators, tools, source code, and design, is protected under the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). No part of this site may be reproduced, copied, distributed, stored, or used in any form without prior written permission from the owner.

About & trust: Why Calculate is NZ's most comprehensive · By the Numbers · How we compare · Editorial standards · How we keep data current · NZ finance glossary · Research & data · Financial literacy NZ · About · Privacy policy · Terms of use

Reviewed and maintained. Last reviewed 2026-07-02 and checked on a twice-monthly cycle against IRD, RBNZ and Stats NZ. How we keep data current.