Convert Arcminutes to Degrees

Convert Arcminutes (′) to Degrees (°) instantly and accurately.

Conversion Formula

° = ′ × 0.01666666667

About Arcminutes

An arcminute (′) is 1/60 of a degree - π/10,800 rad ≈ 2.909 × 10⁻⁴ rad. One arcminute of latitude equals exactly one nautical mile (1,852 m), which is the origin of the nautical mile unit. The Moon and Sun both subtend ~30 arcminutes in apparent diameter - the coincidence exploited in total solar eclipses. Human 20/20 visual acuity resolves letters 5 arcminutes tall at 6 m. Binocular and telescope apparent fields of view are quoted in arcminutes. 1′ = π/10,800 rad ≈ 0.01667° ≈ 290.9 µrad.

About Degrees

The degree (°) is the most widely used angle unit in everyday life, tracing to Babylonian astronomy ~300 BCE - the ecliptic was divided into 360 parts because the sexagesimal base-60 system made 360 highly divisible (by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20). Each degree divides into 60 arcminutes and 3,600 arcseconds. The degree dominates practical work: compass bearings, geographic coordinates (latitude ±90°, longitude ±180°), wind direction, polygon angles, and engineering drawings. Calculus uses radians because sin(x) ≈ x only holds in radians. 1° = π/180 rad ≈ 17.453 mrad.

Quick Reference Table

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