SoDa:: Services for Professionals in Solar Energy and Radiation

Converting sexagesimal degrees in decimal degrees

Geographical coordinates are often given in sexagesimal degrees, i.e., in degrees, minutes and seconds. However, computers are more familar with decimal numbers and it is necessary to convert the sexagesimal degrees into decimal degrees.

Example. Assume a latitude of 45° 53' 36" (45 degrees, 53 minutes and 36 seconds). In decimal degrees, the latitude will be:
latitude = 45 + (53 / 60) + (36 / 3600) = 45.89

General Formulation:
latitude (decimal degrees) = degrees + (minutes / 60) + (seconds / 3600)

The SoDa Service offers a conversion function.