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Signed vs Cardinal Coordinate Notation Converter

Converts latitude and longitude between signed and N/S/E/W cardinal notation.

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How to use this calculator

S and W are negative; N and E positive. N/S belong to latitude and E/W to longitude. A minus with S or W agrees and is applied once; a minus with N or E is a conflict you resolve.

Which way is positive
Teaching diagram
Which way is positiveA globe outline split by the equator and the prime meridian: north and east are positive, south and west negative.N +S −E +W −Latitude: N +, S −Longitude: E +, W −−33.8 (latitude) = 33.8° S−0° 30′ = 0° 30′ S−33.8 N says two things:you choose which to trust
North and east are positive; south and west are negative. The sign (or letter) applies once to the whole angle, so −0° 30′ is 0° 30′ S on latitude — the hemisphere survives a zero degree value.

How the method works

A fixed worked example to explain the method — it is not your result.

One angle, three representations
Illustrative method
One angle, three representationsThe same angle written as degrees-minutes-seconds, degrees and decimal minutes, and decimal degrees, with the conversion between each.DMS40°26′46.302″DDM40°26.7717′DD40.446195°26′ + 46.302″ ÷ 60= 26.7717′40° + 26.7717′ ÷ 60= 40.446195°
40° 26′ 46.302″ = 40° 26.7717′ = 40.446195°. Seconds ÷ 60 join the minutes; minutes ÷ 60 join the degrees. The sign (or hemisphere letter) applies once to the whole angle.

Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.

How to use this calculator

  1. Type a latitude and a longitude, either signed (−33.8) or with a hemisphere letter (33.8 S).
  2. Read both notations side by side and copy either one.
  3. If a value says two different things, such as −33.8 N, choose which reading you meant.
  4. Set the decimal places and whether hemispheres are written as letters or words. Batch / CSV converts a whole list.

How it works

S and W are negative; N and E are positive. The sign is resolved once: a minus together with S or W agrees and is applied once, with a note.

A minus with N or E (or a plus with S or W) is a conflict. It is never settled silently — you choose 'trust the sign' or 'trust the letter'.

N/S belong to latitude and E/W to longitude; 33.8 W is refused as a latitude. Ranges are enforced.

A zero magnitude keeps its hemisphere, so 0.0° S stays south and is written −0.0 in signed form.

Worked example

−33.8 latitude, 115.86 longitude. = 33.8° S, 115.86° E. −0.25 latitude is 0.25° S. −33.8° N asks you to decide between 33.8° S and 33.8° N.

Common mistakes

  • Writing both a minus and S and expecting them to cancel — they agree, and the value stays south.
  • Putting a longitude letter on a latitude.
  • Dropping the minus when copying a southern latitude into a signed-only system.

Frequently asked questions

Is a south latitude positive or negative?

Negative. South of the equator and west of the prime meridian are both negative in signed notation.

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Cite this tool

Zerdly. (2026). Signed vs Cardinal Coordinate Notation Converter. Retrieved from https://www.zerdly.com/tools/signed-vs-cardinal-notation-converter-33-8-33-8s/

Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.

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