Coordinate Formats

When entering or displaying a latitude or longitude value, there are three different ways to display/enter the data.

• Degrees (abbreviation:  "Deg")- In this format, the coordinate is described as a single number.  For example, 72 degrees 30 minutes would be shown as 72.5. 

• Degrees Minutes (abbreviation:  "Deg Min") - In this format, the coordinate is described as two numbers.  For example 72 degrees, 30 minutes, 30 seconds would be listed as "72 degrees 30.5 minutes".  The degree field must be a whole number (nothing to the right of the decimal point)

• Degrees Minutes Seconds (abbreviation:  "Deg Min Sec") - In this format, the coordinate is described as three numbers, such as 72 degrees, 30 minutes, and 30.43 seconds.  The degree number and minute number must be whole numbers (nothing to the right of the decimal point).

No matter how the number is entered or displayed, the coordinates are always stored the same way in our database, as Degrees.

Coordinates can have negative values.  Negative longitudes are used for the Western Hemisphere (including the USA), and negative longitudes are used for the Southern Hemisphere.  When entering coordinates, you can always enter positive numbers - the software will convert the coordinates to negatives if appropriate.