What is Decimal Degrees (DD)?

Decimal Degrees, also known as decimal degree notation or decimal degree format, is a common method for representing geographic coordinates using decimal numbers. It is a way to express latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal format rather than degrees, minutes, and seconds.

In decimal degrees, the latitude and longitude values are represented as decimal numbers, where positive values represent locations north of the equator for latitude and east of the prime meridian for longitude. Negative values indicate locations south of the equator for latitude and west of the prime meridian for longitude.

For example, a coordinate expressed in decimal degrees for a location could be 40.7128° N (latitude) and -74.0060° W (longitude), representing the approximate coordinates of New York City.