Skip to main content

Convert Arcseconds to Degrees

Instantly convert Arcseconds () to Degrees (°) with our free online calculator.

Reviewed by Christopher FloiedUpdated

Formula: to °multiply by 2.7778e-4

Reference Table

Arcseconds ()Degrees (°)
10.000277778
50.00138889
100.00277778
250.00694444
500.0138889
1000.0277778

How to Convert Arcseconds to Degrees

Formula

To convert Arcseconds () to Degrees (°): multiply by 2.7778e-4

Step-by-Step

  1. Start with your value in Arcseconds (″).
  2. Multiply by 2.7778e-4 to perform the conversion.
  3. The result is your value expressed in Degrees (°).

Conversion Factor

1 = 0.000277778 °

Reverse Factor

1 ° = 3600

Worked Example

Convert 25 Arcseconds to Degrees: 25 = 0.00694444 °

About Arcsecond ()

A unit of plane angle equal to exactly 1/3600 of a degree (= 1/60 of an arcminute = π/648,000 rad ≈ 4.848 × 10⁻⁶ rad). Arcseconds are the working unit of modern observational astronomy: stellar parallax (the parsec — fundamental astronomical distance unit — is defined as the distance at which one astronomical unit subtends one arcsecond), telescope angular resolution (Hubble Space Telescope ~0.05 arcsec; the Extremely Large Telescope under construction ~0.005 arcsec diffraction-limited; the Event Horizon Telescope reached ~20 microarcseconds to image M87* and Sgr A* black-hole shadows), and astrometric catalogs (Gaia DR3 reports positions and proper motions in microarcseconds for ~1.8 billion stars). Geodetic GPS and high-precision surveying also specify coordinate accuracy in arcseconds, where sub-arcsecond resolution corresponds to centimeter-level positioning on Earth (1 arcsec of latitude ≈ 31 m at the equator). Symbol ″ (double prime); not to be confused with the inch-symbol ″.

About Degree (°)

A unit of plane angle equal to exactly 1/360 of a full rotation (= π/180 radians), inherited from ancient Babylonian astronomy's sexagesimal (base-60) number system circa 2000 BCE — the 360-degree convention reflects the ~360-day Babylonian solar year. Degrees are the universal everyday angle unit in non-scientific contexts: compass bearings and ship/aircraft heading per ICAO and IMO conventions (0° = magnetic north, 90° = east), latitude / longitude geographic coordinates per WGS84 (the GPS datum), machine-tool protractors and CNC G-code, GIS data (Esri ArcGIS, QGIS), CAD-software 2D-sketch dimensions (Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, CATIA), and architectural drawings. Reference values: a right angle is exactly 90°, a straight line 180°, a full turn 360°, an equilateral triangle has 60° interior angles, a regular pentagon 108°, a regular hexagon 120°. Trigonometry education worldwide introduces sine and cosine in degrees before transitioning students to radians for calculus. Convert degrees to radians by multiplying by π/180 ≈ 0.01745.

Quick Facts

  • 1 Arcsecond equals 0.000277778 Degrees
  • 1 Degree equals 3600 Arcseconds
  • Arcsecond is a unit of angle
  • Degree is a unit of angle
  • This conversion is commonly used in surveying, navigation, trigonometry, and mechanical design

Common Arcsecond to Degree Conversions

Arcseconds ()Degrees (°)
0.010.00000277778
0.10.0000277778
0.250.0000694444
0.50.000138889
10.000277778
20.000555556
30.000833333
50.00138889
100.00277778
150.00416667
200.00555556
250.00694444
500.0138889
750.0208333
1000.0277778
2500.0694444
5000.138889
10000.277778
50001.38889
100002.77778

Understanding Arcseconds

The Arcsecond (symbol: ) is a unit of angle. A unit of plane angle equal to exactly 1/3600 of a degree (= 1/60 of an arcminute = π/648,000 rad ≈ 4.848 × 10⁻⁶ rad). Arcseconds are the working unit of modern observational astronomy: stellar parallax (the parsec — fundamental astronomical distance unit — is defined as the distance at which one astronomical unit subtends one arcsecond), telescope angular resolution (Hubble Space Telescope ~0.05 arcsec; the Extremely Large Telescope under construction ~0.005 arcsec diffraction-limited; the Event Horizon Telescope reached ~20 microarcseconds to image M87* and Sgr A* black-hole shadows), and astrometric catalogs (Gaia DR3 reports positions and proper motions in microarcseconds for ~1.8 billion stars). Geodetic GPS and high-precision surveying also specify coordinate accuracy in arcseconds, where sub-arcsecond resolution corresponds to centimeter-level positioning on Earth (1 arcsec of latitude ≈ 31 m at the equator). Symbol ″ (double prime); not to be confused with the inch-symbol ″.

Arcseconds are commonly used in surveying, navigation, trigonometry, and mechanical design.

Understanding Degrees

The Degree (symbol: °) is a unit of angle. A unit of plane angle equal to exactly 1/360 of a full rotation (= π/180 radians), inherited from ancient Babylonian astronomy's sexagesimal (base-60) number system circa 2000 BCE — the 360-degree convention reflects the ~360-day Babylonian solar year. Degrees are the universal everyday angle unit in non-scientific contexts: compass bearings and ship/aircraft heading per ICAO and IMO conventions (0° = magnetic north, 90° = east), latitude / longitude geographic coordinates per WGS84 (the GPS datum), machine-tool protractors and CNC G-code, GIS data (Esri ArcGIS, QGIS), CAD-software 2D-sketch dimensions (Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, CATIA), and architectural drawings. Reference values: a right angle is exactly 90°, a straight line 180°, a full turn 360°, an equilateral triangle has 60° interior angles, a regular pentagon 108°, a regular hexagon 120°. Trigonometry education worldwide introduces sine and cosine in degrees before transitioning students to radians for calculus. Convert degrees to radians by multiplying by π/180 ≈ 0.01745.

Degrees are commonly used in surveying, navigation, trigonometry, and mechanical design.

Why Convert Arcseconds to Degrees?

Converting between Arcseconds and Degrees is a frequent requirement for engineers, scientists, and students working with angle values. Different industries and regions favour different unit systems, so having a dependable conversion tool saves time and prevents errors in technical calculations. Whether you are verifying a specification sheet, cross-checking simulation results, or preparing a report for an international audience, accurate angle conversion is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert Arcseconds to Degrees?

A unit of plane angle equal to exactly 1/3600 of a degree (= 1/60 of an arcminute = π/648,000 rad ≈ 4. To convert Arcseconds to Degrees, multiply by 2.7778e-4. For example, 25 ″ equals 0.00694444 °.

How many Degrees are in 1 Arcsecond?

There are 0.000277778 Degrees in 1 Arcsecond.

How many Arcseconds are in 1 Degree?

There are 3600 Arcseconds in 1 Degree.

What is the formula for Arcsecond to Degree conversion?

The formula is: multiply by 2.7778e-4. This means 1 ″ = 0.000277778 °.

Is a Arcsecond bigger than a Degree?

Yes. One Arcsecond is larger than one Degree because 1 ″ equals 0.000277778 °, which is less than 1.

When do you need to convert between Arcseconds and Degrees?

A unit of plane angle equal to exactly 1/360 of a full rotation (= π/180 radians), inherited from ancient Babylonian astronomy's sexagesimal (base-60) number system circa 2000 BCE — the 360-degree convention reflects the... Arcsecond and Degree are both angle units, so conversion comes up whenever one source of information uses one unit and another uses the other — a classic cross-reference challenge in engineering, trade, travel, and everyday life.

More Angle Conversions

Related Tools