Arcseconds to Degrees
Convert arcseconds to degrees instantly — one arcsecond is 0.000277778 degrees.
| Arcseconds | Degrees |
|---|---|
| 1 ″ | 0.000278 ° |
| 2 ″ | 0.000556 ° |
| 3 ″ | 0.000833 ° |
| 5 ″ | 0.001389 ° |
| 10 ″ | 0.002778 ° |
| 25 ″ | 0.006944 ° |
| 50 ″ | 0.013889 ° |
| 100 ″ | 0.027778 ° |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Arcseconds field.
- The Degrees figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Degrees field converts back to Arcseconds the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Arcseconds to Degrees formula
The factor from arcseconds to degrees is 0.000277777778.
° = ″ × 0.000277777778
Put another way, one arcsecond is exactly 1/3,600 of a degree.
Why this factor: the arcsecond and the degree are both defined against the degree, so dividing one definition by the other gives 0.000277777778 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 0.000277777778 — or use the Degrees to Arcseconds converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Given 90 ″, multiplying by 0.000277777778 yields 0.025 °.
90 ″ × 0.000277777778 = 0.025 °
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is an arcsecond?
An arcsecond is one 3,600th of a degree — the precision unit of astronomy.
Definition: Exactly 1/3600 degree, or 1/60 arcminute. Symbol is the double prime (″).
Where it is used: Telescope resolution and seeing, stellar parallax (the basis of the parsec), and precision surveying.
What is a degree?
A degree is one 360th of a full turn, the everyday unit of angle.
Definition: Exactly 1/360 of a complete revolution. The choice of 360 comes from Babylonian base-60 arithmetic.
Where it is used: Geometry, navigation bearings, latitude and longitude, and CSS rotations.
Arcseconds vs Degrees
The arcsecond and the degree belong to the same family of units, so converting between them is usually a matter of shifting a decimal point or applying a small whole-number factor.
Frequently asked questions
How many degrees are in an arcsecond?
One arcsecond equals 0.000277777778 degrees.
What is the formula to convert arcseconds to degrees?
Multiply the number of arcseconds by 0.000277777778. To reverse it, divide by 0.000277777778 instead.
How do I convert degrees back to arcseconds?
Divide by 0.000277777778, which is the same as multiplying by 3600.
How many degrees are in 10 arcseconds?
10 ″ works out to 0.002778 °.
How is the arcsecond defined?
Exactly 1/3600 degree, or 1/60 arcminute. Symbol is the double prime (″).