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If you have a set of numbers like 40.7128, -74.0060 or 40 42' 46" N and just need to see where it is on a map or convert it to another format, you don't need to read this whole guide.
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Convert Coordinates in Seconds (No Setup Needed)Latitude and longitude form the grid system that powers every GPS device, smartphone, and digital map on Earth. Whether you are using Google Maps to find a restaurant or programming a drone flight path, you are relying on these two numbers.
Latitude: How Far North or South
Latitude measures how far north or south a location sits from the equator. The equator is 0. The North Pole is 90N, and the South Pole is 90S.
Think of latitude lines as horizontal rings around the Earth, stacked from the equator to the poles. Each ring is called a parallel because they're all parallel to each other and to the equator.
- New York City: 40.71N (about 40% of the way from the equator to the North Pole)
- Equator (Quito, Ecuador): 0
- Sydney, Australia: 33.87S
Longitude: How Far East or West
Longitude measures how far east or west a location sits from the Prime Meridian, which runs through Greenwich, London. The Prime Meridian is 0, and values range from -180 (or 180W) to +180 (or 180E).
Longitude lines (called meridians) run from pole to pole. Unlike parallels, meridians are not parallel to each other. They converge at the poles and are widest apart at the equator.
- London: 0.13W (just barely west of the Prime Meridian)
- New York: 74.01W
- Tokyo: 139.69E
Two Formats: Decimal Degrees vs DMS
GPS coordinates come in two common formats. They represent the same information, just written differently:
| Format | Example (New York) | Used By |
|---|---|---|
| Decimal Degrees (DD) | 40.712776, -74.005974 | Google Maps, APIs, databases, GIS |
| DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) | 40 42' 46.0" N, 74 0' 21.5" W | Navigation charts, aviation, topographic maps |
Converting Between Formats
One degree contains 60 minutes, and one minute contains 60 seconds. The conversion formula is:
Decimal = Degrees + Minutes/60 + Seconds/3600
For example, 40 42' 46.0":
- 40 + 42/60 + 46.0/3600
- 40 + 0.7 + 0.01278
- = 40.71278
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
What is WGS84?
When someone gives you latitude and longitude, they're almost always using a system called WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984). This is the datum used by GPS satellites, Google Maps, and most modern mapping applications.
WGS84 defines the precise shape and size of the Earth (its ellipsoid model), which is necessary to calculate accurate positions from satellite signals. Without agreeing on the same Earth model, the same coordinate numbers could refer to positions meters apart.
Older systems like NAD27 or Tokyo Datum used different ellipsoid models, which means a coordinate like "35.6762 N" refers to slightly different physical locations depending on the datum. The difference can be 1 to 200+ meters. For professional work, always verify which datum your coordinates reference.
Learn more about this in our Datum Shift Explained guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between latitude and longitude?
Latitude measures north-south position (from the equator), ranging from -90 to +90. Longitude measures east-west position (from the Prime Meridian), ranging from -180 to +180. Together, they create a grid that can pinpoint any location on Earth.
How do I convert GPS coordinates to an address?
This process is called reverse geocoding. The simplest way is to paste your coordinates into the Google Maps search bar (format: "40.712776, -74.005974"). Google will show you the nearest address. For professional-grade reverse geocoding, APIs from Google, OpenStreetMap (Nominatim), or Mapbox can be used.
Why do GPS coordinates have negative numbers?
Negative latitude means the location is south of the equator (Southern Hemisphere). Negative longitude means the location is west of the Prime Meridian (mainly the Americas). For example, -33.87, 151.21 is Sydney, Australia: 33.87 south and 151.21 east.
How accurate is my phone's GPS?
Most modern smartphones achieve GPS accuracy of 3-5 meters under open sky. In urban areas with tall buildings ("urban canyons"), accuracy can drop to 10-20 meters due to signal reflection. Dual-frequency GPS chips (like in recent iPhones and Android flagships) improve accuracy to about 1-2 meters. For sub-meter precision, you need a dedicated survey receiver. See our GPS Accuracy guide.