Decimal degrees facts for kids

Decimal degrees are a simple way to show locations on Earth using numbers with decimals. They tell you exactly where something is by giving its latitude (how far north or south) and longitude (how far east or west). It's like giving an exact address for any spot on the planet!

Latitude numbers that are positive mean you are north of the equator. Negative latitude numbers mean you are south of the equator. For longitude, positive numbers mean you are east of the prime meridian. Negative longitude numbers mean you are west of the prime meridian. You will usually see these numbers listed as "Latitude, Longitude."

Understanding Decimal Degrees

Imagine invisible lines all over the Earth that help us find places. These lines are called latitude and longitude.

What are Latitude and Longitude?

Latitude lines go around the Earth from east to west. They measure how far north or south you are from the equator. The equator is an imaginary line that circles the middle of the Earth. If you are north of the equator, your latitude is a positive number. If you are south, it's a negative number.

Longitude lines go from the North Pole to the South Pole. They measure how far east or west you are from the prime meridian. The prime meridian is another imaginary line that passes through Greenwich, England. If you are east of the prime meridian, your longitude is a positive number. If you are west, it's a negative number.

When you see geographic coordinates, the latitude number always comes first, followed by the longitude number.

Why Use Decimal Degrees?

Before decimal degrees, locations were often given using degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS). For example, 40° 44′ 55″ N, 73° 59′ 11″ W. This system works, but it can be tricky to use in computers or with calculators.

Decimal degrees make it much easier. Instead of minutes and seconds, you just have a single number with a decimal point. For example, 40.7486° N, -73.9864° W. This is simpler to type, store, and calculate with, especially for maps and GPS devices.

How Accurate Are Decimal Degrees?

The number of decimal places in a decimal degree tells you how precise the location is. More decimal places mean you can pinpoint a location much more accurately.

Think about it like this:

• 0 decimal places: This can point to a very large area, like an entire country or a big region. It's accurate to about 111 kilometers (about 69 miles) at the equator.
• 1 decimal place: This can narrow down the location to a large city or district. It's accurate to about 11.1 kilometers (about 6.9 miles).
• 2 decimal places: This is good enough to find a town or village. It's accurate to about 1.11 kilometers (about 0.69 miles).
• 3 decimal places: You can find a neighborhood or a specific street with this accuracy. It's accurate to about 111 meters (about 364 feet).
• 4 decimal places: This can pinpoint an individual street. It's accurate to about 11.1 meters (about 36 feet).
• 5 decimal places: With this many decimal places, you can locate something as small as a single tree. It's accurate to about 1.11 meters (about 3.6 feet).
• 6 decimal places: This is extremely precise, enough to locate a human. It's accurate to about 11 centimeters (about 4 inches).

So, the more numbers you see after the decimal point, the more exact the location is!