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Latitude and Longitude: How GPS Coordinates Actually Work
Every location on Earth can be described by two numbers: latitude and longitude. Here's what those numbers mean, why there are different formats, and how to use them.
How Precise Are GPS Coordinates?
The number of decimal places in a coordinate directly determines its real-world precision:
| Decimal Places | Precision | Real-World Example |
|---|---|---|
| 0 (40, -74) | ~111 km | Wrong city |
| 1 (40.7, -74.0) | ~11 km | Wrong neighborhood |
| 2 (40.71, -74.01) | ~1.1 km | Correct neighborhood |
| 3 (40.713, -74.006) | ~111 m | Correct city block |
| 4 (40.7128, -74.0060) | ~11 m | Individual building |
| 5 (40.71278, -74.00597) | ~1.1 m | Individual room |
| 6 (40.712776, -74.005974) | ~0.11 m | Survey point (centimeter) |
For most practical purposes, 5-6 decimal places provide survey-grade precision. Storing more than 8 decimal places is rarely meaningful since consumer GPS devices have an accuracy of only 3-5 meters. See our full Decimal Precision Guide for details.
Finding GPS Coordinates
On Your Phone
Google Maps (Android/iOS): Long-press any spot on the map. The coordinates appear at the top of the screen in decimal degrees format.
Apple Maps (iOS): Drop a pin, then tap the pin label. Coordinates show at the bottom of the info card.
On Your Computer
Google Maps: Right-click any point and select "What's here?" The coordinates appear at the bottom in a popup.
From an Address
Type the address into Google Maps and long-press/right-click the marker to get precise coordinates.
The Positive/Negative Convention
Coordinates can be written with compass directions (N, S, E, W) or with positive/negative signs. The convention is:
- North latitude = positive: 40.71 or 40.71N
- South latitude = negative: -33.87 or 33.87S
- East longitude = positive: 139.69 or 139.69E
- West longitude = negative: -74.01 or 74.01W
Watch the order! Most software expects latitude first, longitude second (lat, lon). But some systems, particularly GeoJSON and certain European standards, use longitude first (lon, lat). Swapping these values can place your point in the wrong hemisphere. Our Format Auto-Detector can help identify which order your data uses.