Convert Lat/Lng, UTM, and Plane Rectangular Coordinates - WGS84 Based
A coordinate system is a mathematical framework for expressing locations on Earth's surface. The same location can be represented by different numbers depending on the coordinate system used.
The most widely used geographic coordinate system worldwide. It's the reference system used by GPS and expresses locations using Latitude and Longitude.
Divides the world into 60 longitude zones and projects each zone onto a plane. Useful for surveying and mapping as distances can be measured in meters.
A plane rectangular coordinate system used in Korea, dividing the Korean Peninsula into multiple origin-based zones. Used for national surveys and cadastral mapping.
GPS uses the WGS84 coordinate system. All latitude/longitude values from smartphones or navigation systems are WGS84 based.
Korea is mostly in UTM Zone 52. When you enter latitude/longitude, the correct zone number is automatically calculated.
Select based on the longitude of the survey area. Seoul/Gyeonggi typically use Central Origin (127°E), eastern Gangwon uses East Origin (129°E).
Extremely minor rounding errors may occur during mathematical conversion, but accuracy is sufficient for general purposes (navigation, GIS, etc.).
It uses the WGS84 ellipsoid, which is the standard for GPS and global coordinate systems.
Notice: This converter is a general-purpose coordinate conversion tool. For precision surveying, legal documents, official cadastral work, etc., please use professional surveying equipment and software. Use conversion results for reference only.
Coordinate systems for expressing locations on Earth are broadly divided into geographic and projected coordinate systems. A Geographic Coordinate System (GCS) uses latitude and longitude to express positions on Earth's spherical surface as angles, with WGS84 serving as the global standard. A Projected Coordinate System (PCS) projects the sphere onto a flat plane to express positions as XY coordinates in meters — UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) and Korea's plane rectangular coordinate system (TM) are representative examples. In surveying, GIS, and navigation, the appropriate coordinate system is chosen based on the purpose.
Latitude and longitude can be expressed in two formats. Decimal Degrees (DD) notation, such as 37.5665°N, 126.9780°E, uses decimal points and is used by GPS devices and most digital maps. Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS) notation, such as 37° 33' 59.4"N, 126° 58' 40.8"E, is used in traditional survey documents and navigation. Entering coordinates to 6 decimal places provides approximately 10cm accuracy. Google Maps and most modern mapping services use decimal notation by default.
Coordinates obtained from smartphone GPS, drones, or survey equipment are all latitude/longitude values based on WGS84. To use these coordinates in GIS software (QGIS, ArcGIS) or for construction and cadastral surveying, conversion to the appropriate coordinate system (such as Korean TM) is required. UTM coordinates are used with a zone number — Korea is primarily in Zone 52N. Minor errors that occur during conversion are mathematically unavoidable, but provide sufficient accuracy for general purposes.