How do I convert latitude into decimal format?

Answer 1

I assume you mean you have a latitude of d degrees, m minutes and s seconds that you want as a decimal number.

The minutes and seconds are just like time:

1 minute (of arc) = 60 seconds (of arc)

1 degree (of arc) = 60 minutes (of arc) = 60 × 60 seconds (of arc) = 3600 seconds (of arc)

→ to convert d° m' s" to decimal add: d + m/60 + s/3600

Degrees latitude North are positive, whereas South are negative.

eg 52° 6' 15" N is 52 + 6/60 + 15/3600 = 52 + 0.1 + 0.0041666... = 52.1041666...° ≈ 52.1042°

eg 47° 12' 40" S is -(47 + 12/60 + 40/3600) = -(47 + 0.2 + 0.0111...) = -47.2111...° ≈ -47.2111°