How to Convert an Angle From Degrees to Decimal

Degree measurement of angles can take two forms: one form is when the distance between individual degree units are measured in minutes and seconds, and the other is decimal notation. When measured with minutes and seconds, the measurement appears as d° m' s", where "d" is the degree amount, "m" is the minute amount and "s" is the second amount. Both the minute and second count follow from a normal hour, so a degree is composed of 60 minutes, and a minute is composed of 60 seconds. Conversion from this form to the decimal form helps in simplifying angular mathematical operations.

1. Find an angle measured in degrees. For this example, the angle is 44° 15' 36".

2. Multiply the minutes of the degree by 1/60 and the seconds of the degree by 1/3,600, then sum the two products. For this example, 15' (or 15 minutes) multiplied by 1/60 results in 0.25, and 36" (or 36 seconds) multiplied by 1/3,600 results in 0.01. Adding 0.01 to 0.25 equals 0.26.

3. Add the decimal sum to the degree to calculate the degree measurement in decimal notation. For this example, adding 0.26 to 44 equals 44.26°.