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Latitude / Longitude to MGRS Converter

Type a latitude and longitude — or tap Use my location — to turn it into a full MGRS grid reference, the format field and military maps use. Go the other way too: feed in an MGRS string and read back the coordinates it points at. Both directions run here in the page.

Enter a latitude and longitude in decimal degrees (WGS84).

Try an example:
MGRS (grid reference)
18T WL 83959 07350
Zone · 100 km square · easting · northing — about 1 m precision.
MGRS (compact)
18TWL8395907350
Decimal degrees (DD)
40.712800, -74.006000
Degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS)
40°42'46.1"N 74°00'21.6"W

All coordinates use the WGS84 datum.

Drag the marker to adjust — or tap the map to move it.

MGRS to latitude / longitude

Latitude, longitude (DD)
40.714354, -74.005964
Centre of the addressed grid square, on WGS84.
Degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS)
40°42'51.7"N 74°00'21.5"W

MGRS values use the WGS84 datum. The point shown is the centre of the addressed square.

How to convert lat/long to MGRS

  1. Type or paste a latitude and longitude into the box, in decimal degrees — for example 40.7128, -74.0060. Positive is north and east; negative is south and west.
  2. Or tap Use my location to drop in your current GPS position, then read out exactly where you are as a grid reference.
  3. Read the MGRS reference and copy it with one tap. The spaced form (for example 18T WL 83959 07350) is the easy-to-read version; the compact form drops the spaces.
  4. Drag the map marker or tap a new spot to fine-tune — the input and the grid reference update together.

Reading an MGRS grid reference

PartExampleWhat it means
Grid zone18TA 6° UTM longitude zone (1–60) plus a latitude band letter (C–X).
100 km squareWLA two-letter pair naming a 100 km × 100 km square inside that zone.
Easting83959Metres east within the 100 km square (5 digits = 1 m precision).
Northing07350Metres north within the 100 km square (5 digits = 1 m precision).

MGRS, UTM and precision

MGRS sits on top of UTM: it inherits the same metric grid, then swaps the leading easting/northing digits for a 100 km square letter pair so the reference is shorter to read aloud or plot. This converter carries 5 digits per axis, resolving a point to about 1 metre; trimming digits names a larger square (4 = 10 m, 3 = 100 m, and so on). Both systems are defined only between roughly 80°S and 84°N — a point in the polar regions has no MGRS reference, and the tool says so rather than guess. For the plain UTM easting and northing, use lat/long to UTM, or read every notation side by side in the coordinate converter.

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Frequently asked questions

What is MGRS?
MGRS (the Military Grid Reference System) is a way of writing any point on Earth as a short grid reference like 18T WL 83959 07350. It combines a UTM grid zone, a 100 km square letter pair, and an easting and northing in metres. It is widely used in military, search-and-rescue and field work because it is quick to read aloud and plot on a map.

What is the difference between MGRS and UTM?
Both are metric grid systems on the WGS84 datum. UTM gives a zone plus a full easting and northing in metres. MGRS builds on UTM but replaces part of those numbers with a 100 km square letter pair, making the reference shorter to read. Convert the plain form with lat/long to UTM.

How precise is a 5-digit MGRS reference?
Five digits for the easting and five for the northing address a point to about 1 metre. Using fewer digits names a larger square: 4 digits each is roughly 10 m, 3 digits is about 100 m, 2 is 1 km and 1 is 10 km. This tool uses the full 5-digit precision.

Can I convert an MGRS string back to latitude and longitude?
Yes. Use the reverse section on this page: paste an MGRS string (spaces optional) and it returns the centre of that square as latitude/longitude in decimal degrees and DMS, with a map. All values are on the WGS84 datum.

Why does some input have no MGRS reference?
MGRS and UTM are only defined between about 80°S and 84°N. A latitude in the polar regions outside that band is a valid coordinate but has no MGRS grid reference, so the converter will tell you it is out of range.

Is my location sent anywhere?
No. All conversion happens in your browser, and using your location only reads your device GPS with your permission. Nothing is uploaded or stored.