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GPS Coordinate Format Reference
Compare decimal degrees, degrees/decimal minutes and degrees/minutes/seconds using the same example geocaching position.
| Format | Same location in each format |
|---|---|
| Decimal degrees (DD) | 44.28116667, -79.46666667 |
| Degrees + decimal minutes (DMM) | N 44° 16.870 W 079° 28.000 |
| Degrees / minutes / seconds (DMS) | 44° 16′ 52.2″ N, 79° 28′ 0″ W |
| Geo-style compressed (DMM) | N4416.870 W07928.000 |
Decimal degrees = degrees + (minutes ÷ 60) + (seconds ÷ 3600). West and South are negative in signed decimal degrees. Geocaching commonly uses DMM with three decimal places.
Geocaching tip: A digit copied into the wrong coordinate format can move a cache dramatically. Convert explicitly before using it on a map.