Google Earth Pro can display the same geographic location using different coordinate formats. Two of the most commonly used are Decimal Degrees (DD) and Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (DMS).
If your Google Earth Pro is showing coordinates such as -6.7924, 39.2083 but you need a format such as 6°47'32.64"S, 39°12'29.88"E, you do not need to manually calculate the conversion. Google Earth Pro can change the coordinate display format through its settings.
Decimal Degrees vs DMS
Decimal Degrees (DD) expresses latitude and longitude as decimal numbers. For example:
Latitude: -6.7924
Longitude: 39.2083
DMS divides each coordinate into three parts:
- Degrees (°)
- Minutes (')
- Seconds (")
For example:
6°47'32.64"S, 39°12'29.88"E
Both formats describe the same geographic position. Changing the display setting does not move the location or change its geographic coordinates; it changes how Google Earth Pro presents them.
Google Earth officially supports both Decimal Degrees and Degrees, Minutes, Seconds, along with other coordinate display formats. If you also need to extract coordinates from Google Earth, see our guide on How to Extract Coordinates from Google Earth Pro, where we explain how to do it step by step.
How to Change Decimal Degrees to DMS in Google Earth Pro
Step 1: Open Google Earth Pro
Launch Google Earth Pro on your computer.
Move your mouse over the map. The current latitude and longitude are displayed in the lower-right corner of the Google Earth window.
If your coordinates are currently displayed as decimal numbers, you can change this format through the settings.
Step 2: Open the Options Window
On Windows or Linux, go to:
Tools → Options
Then select the:
3D View tab.
Under the Show Lat/Long section, you will find the available coordinate display formats. Google provides this procedure in its official Google Earth Help documentation.
On Mac, the equivalent path is:
Google Earth → Preferences → 3D View
Then locate the coordinate display settings.
Step 3: Select Degrees, Minutes, Seconds
Under Show Lat/Long, select:
Degrees, Minutes, Seconds
Then click OK.
The coordinates displayed in the lower-right corner should now use the DMS format.
For example, a coordinate that was previously displayed approximately as:
37.4219999, -122.0840575
can be displayed in a DMS-style format such as:
37°25'19.20"N, 122°05'02.61"W
The exact displayed precision depends on the coordinate and Google Earth Pro's presentation.
How to Check the DMS Format on a Placemark
You can also check the coordinate format using a placemark.
Click the Add Placemark tool and place the marker on the location you want to inspect. The placemark properties include latitude and longitude fields.
Google Earth allows latitude and longitude to be entered and displayed using different notations, including Decimal Degrees, DMS and Degrees, Decimal Minutes.
This is useful when you need to copy coordinates from a specific location rather than simply reading the coordinates beneath the map.
Once you have completed this process, you may also want to learn How to Import CSV Coordinates into Google Earth Pro if you need to use and display your coordinates in the canvas of Google Earth.
When Should You Use Decimal Degrees?
Decimal Degrees are particularly convenient for:
- GIS software
- Excel and spreadsheets
- CSV coordinate files
- GPS and mapping workflows
- Web mapping applications
- Data analysis
For example, a CSV file might contain:
| Location | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Site A | -6.7924 | 39.2083 |
Decimal Degrees are usually easier to process numerically because latitude and longitude are represented directly as numbers.
Google Earth Pro also supports importing coordinate data in Decimal Degrees and DMS formats when working with spreadsheet or text data.
When Should You Use DMS?
DMS is common in:
- Field surveying
- Navigation
- Traditional mapping
- GPS reporting
- Geographic descriptions
- Printed maps and reports
It can be particularly useful when coordinates are being communicated in a format familiar to field teams or mapping professionals.
Common Coordinate Mistakes
Confusing latitude and longitude
Unless direction letters are provided, latitude normally comes first and longitude second.
For example:
6.7924, 39.2083
should not be accidentally entered as:
39.2083, 6.7924
Google's documentation also specifies latitude first and longitude second when coordinates are entered without directional notation.
Mixing negative values with direction letters
A negative latitude or longitude indicates a southern or western position respectively. When using S or W, do not unnecessarily combine the direction letter with a negative sign.
Assuming the setting converts the data permanently
Changing the Google Earth Pro display format does not create a new coordinate system. It changes how the same geographic position is displayed.
Can You Change Back to Decimal Degrees?
Yes. Simply return to:
Tools → Options → 3D View → Show Lat/Long
and select Decimal Degrees.
The coordinate display will return to decimal notation. Google confirms that users can switch between the available coordinate display formats through these settings.
For additional information and the latest guidance, see the official Google Earth Help documentation on How to Create and manage placemarks and coordinates.
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