Degrees To Seconds Converter

degree to second – How to convert ° to ″

Angles aren’t always measured in whole degrees. In fact, for high-precision applications like navigation, astronomy, and surveying, it’s common to break degrees down into much smaller parts. One of those subdivisions is the second of arc, or simply, second (″).

If you’ve seen coordinates like 40° 26′ 46″ N, you’re already looking at degrees, minutes, and seconds. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to convert degrees to seconds and explore where these precise angle units are still in use today.

What is a degree (°)?

A degree measures angles on a circle, with a full circle containing 360 degrees. It’s the standard unit for measuring angles in everything from maps and geometry to engineering and compasses.

But when higher precision is required—say, tracking a star’s position or aligning a satellite dish—degrees are broken into smaller units.

What is a second (″) of arc?

A second of arc is a tiny angular unit. It’s part of a sexagesimal system used to break degrees into smaller and smaller fractions:

• 1 degree = 60 arcminutes (′)

• 1 arcminute = 60 arcseconds (″)

• So, 1 degree = 3,600 seconds

This system dates back to ancient Babylonian mathematics and is still used in fields that require highly accurate angular measurements, such as:

• Astronomy (for star positions and telescope alignment)

• Geodesy and land surveying

• Satellite and antenna tracking

• Precision optical instruments

How to convert degree to second

Since 1 degree equals 3,600 seconds, the conversion is simple.

Formula

second = degree × 3,600

This lets you instantly translate any angle from degrees to arcseconds.

Example: Convert 2.75 degrees to seconds

second = 2.75 × 3,600
second = 9,900

So, 2.75 degrees equals 9,900 arcseconds.

To make these conversions fast and easy, use our Angle Converter. Or, for even more tools, visit the full Conversion tools library.

Did you know?

• The Hubble Space Telescope can resolve objects as small as 0.05 arcseconds—far more precise than the human eye, which can distinguish around 60 arcseconds.

• GPS satellites track positions using angles accurate to fractions of a second to determine locations within centimeters.

• Astronomers measure angular distances between stars in arcseconds to determine relative motion over time.

• The transit of Venus, a rare astronomical event, requires second-level precision to time and observe properly.

• High-end theodolites used in surveying can measure angles with resolutions below 1 second of arc.

Precision in practice: where seconds make the difference

You might not think in arcseconds every day, but they’re quietly shaping some of the most advanced tools and technologies in the world.

In astronomy, even tiny shifts in star positions matter. A change of just 1 arcsecond in a star’s observed location can indicate orbital motion, gravitational influence, or parallax. That’s how astronomers calculate the distances to nearby stars.

Meanwhile, GPS systems rely on angular precision down to the second or even finer. When satellites orbit Earth and send positioning data, small angular discrepancies—on the order of seconds—can translate into several meters of error on the ground. That’s why precision timing and angle measurements are built into modern geolocation tools.

And in land surveying, a second of arc can be the difference between a legal boundary and an encroachment. Property lines, especially in urban planning, often rely on angular accuracy down to the second to avoid costly disputes.

Tiny angles, big accuracy

If you're working with detailed coordinates, fine-tuning an antenna, or mapping the sky, converting degrees to seconds isn’t just about numbers—it’s about accuracy and control.

The formula is simple:

second = degree × 3,600

Use our Angle Converter to get exact values instantly, or explore other tools on the Conversion tools page for everything from volume and speed to data and distance.