Coordinate Formats
Decimal Degrees
Decimal degrees (DD) is a notation for expressing latitude and longitude geographic coordinates as decimal fractions of a degree. DD are used in many geographic information systems (GIS), web mapping applications such as OpenStreetMap, and GPS devices.
Positive latitudes are north of the equator, negative latitudes are south of the equator. Positive longitudes are east of the Prime Meridian; negative longitudes are west of the Prime Meridian. Latitude and longitude are usually expressed in that sequence, latitude before longitude.
Example: Mount Everest's coordinates in DD: 27.986065, 86.922623Degrees Minutes Seconds
Traditionally positions are given using degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS) of angles in two measurements: one for latitude, the angle north or south of the equator; and one for longitude, the angle east or west of the Prime Meridian.
Degrees, minutes and seconds are denoted by the symbols °, ', ". e.g. 10° 33' 19" means an angle of 10 degrees, 33 minutes and 19 seconds . A degree is divided into 60 minutes (of arc), and each minute is divided into 60 seconds (of arc).
Example: Mount Everest's coordinates in DMS: 27° 59' 9.8340'' N, 86° 55' 21.4428'' EDegrees Decimal Minutes
Degrees Decimal Minutes (DDM) is the format most commonly used when working with electronic navigation equipment. It's very similar to DMS, but uses decimals for the minutes instead of dividing again for seconds.
Example: Mount Everest's coordinates in DDM: N 27° 59.272080 E, 86° 55.489860