How to Convert GPS Coordinates Between Formats (Decimal, DMS, UTM)
GPS coordinates seem simple enough — a location on Earth expressed as a number. But in practice, GPS data comes in several different formats, and the same location can look completely different depending on which format you're working with. If you paste coordinates from one system into a tool expecting a different format, you'll end up in the wrong place entirely.
This guide explains the four most common coordinate formats, when you'll encounter each one, and how to convert between them using GeoTools Coordinate Converter.
The four main GPS coordinate formats
When does format matter?
Format matters whenever you're moving coordinates between different systems that don't share the same input format. Some common scenarios where format mismatches cause problems:
- Drone operations: Many drone planning tools accept UTM, while your GPS unit gives decimal degrees. Converting before uploading flight plans is essential.
- Field surveys: Older surveying equipment outputs DMS, but your GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) expects decimal degrees by default.
- Emergency response: First responders may communicate in MGRS while civilian mapping tools use decimal degrees. Converting quickly can matter a great deal.
- Data imports: Importing location data into spreadsheets, databases, or mapping tools that expect a specific format and reject others.
- Research and documentation: Academic papers and government reports often use DMS for readability, while analysis tools need decimal degrees.
Common mistake: Switching latitude and longitude. Most systems expect latitude first (north-south), then longitude (east-west). Getting these reversed will plot your point in completely the wrong location.
How to convert coordinates with GeoTools
Open the Coordinate Converter
Go to geotools.edgeworksapps.com/coordinate-converter.html. The conversion happens in your browser.
Select your input format
Choose the format your coordinates are currently in: Decimal Degrees, DMS, UTM, or MGRS. The input fields will change to match the expected format.
Enter your coordinates
Type or paste in your coordinates. The tool validates the format as you type so you can see immediately if something is wrong with your input.
Read all output formats at once
The converter shows your location in all four formats simultaneously. Copy whichever output format you need for your destination system.
Need to convert many coordinates at once?
If you have a whole dataset of coordinates to convert — for example, a CSV file with hundreds of locations from a field survey — GeoTools also has a Batch Coordinate Converter. You can paste in a list of coordinates, choose the input and output formats, and download the converted results.
The batch converter is particularly useful for data migration tasks — moving data between mapping systems, cleaning up location data for import into a database, or standardising coordinate formats across a large dataset.
Other GeoTools you might find useful
GeoTools includes 6 other geographic tools alongside the coordinate converter:
- Distance & Area Calculator — calculate the distance between two points or the area of a polygon drawn on the map
- Elevation Finder — look up the elevation above sea level for any coordinate
- Bounding Box Tool — define and export the bounding box of any area for use in APIs and spatial queries
- GeoJSON Viewer — paste and visualise GeoJSON data on an interactive map
- Radius Map — draw a radius circle around any point to see what falls within a given distance
Convert your coordinates now
Instant, private — supports Decimal Degrees, DMS, UTM, and MGRS.
Open Coordinate Converter →