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Understanding Your GPS Coordinates

GPS (Global Positioning System) determines your position by triangulating signals from satellites orbiting 20,200 km above Earth. Your device connects to at least 4 satellites to calculate a 3D position fix.

The resulting latitude and longitude numbers identify your point on the planet within meters of accuracy.

GPS Data Parameters Explained

  • Latitude & Longitude — Geographic position relative to the Equator and Prime Meridian
  • Accuracy Radius — Estimated uncertainty boundary expressed in meters
  • Altitude — Vertical height calculated above the WGS 84 reference ellipsoid
  • Telemetry Timestamp — Exact satellite atomic time synchronization instant

FAQ

GPS coordinates are a pair of numbers (latitude and longitude) that define an exact position on Earth, calculated via satellite trilateration.
Modern smartphones provide 3 to 5 meter accuracy outdoors with an open sky view. Accuracy drops indoors or in dense urban canyons.
Coordinates are shown in Decimal Degrees (DD) and can be converted into Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS) or UTM grid coordinates.

Related GPS & Telemetry Tools