Arcseconds to Degrees Converter
Enter a value to instantly convert between angle units.
1 Arcsecond = 0.0003 Degree
Key Formulas
Degree → Radian
rad = ° × 0.0174533Radian → Degree
° = rad × 57.2958Degree → Gradian
grad = ° × 1.11111Gradian → Degree
° = grad × 0.9Formula
degrees = arcseconds ÷ 3600Star catalogs, astrometric databases, and high-precision geodetic coordinates use arcseconds as their base unit for angular position. When astronomers or surveyors must input their measurements into software that expects decimal degrees — a planetarium program, a GIS database, a satellite positioning system — every arcsecond value must be divided by 3,600. A stellar coordinate of 12°34′56″ means 12 + 34/60 + 56/3600 = 12.582° when expressed in decimal degrees.
Source: ISO 80000-3:2019 (Quantities and units — Space and time)
Last reviewed: · see our methodology
Frequently Asked Questions
Real-World Examples
One degree — 3,600 arcseconds. The anchor conversion establishing the complete subdivision of a single degree.
3600 ″ = 1 °
The 56-arcsecond component of a star at 12°34′56″ — 0.01556°, added to 12.5667° for a total of 12.5822° decimal degree.
56 ″ = 0.01556 °
One arcsecond — 0.000278°, approximately the angular diameter of a 1-metre object seen from 200 km (low Earth orbit scale).
1 ″ = 0.000278 °
Half a degree (1,800 arcseconds) — the resolution of standard GPS positioning, about 55 km of latitude error at the equator.
1800 ″ = 0.5 °