Arcseconds (″)

The arcsecond is 1/60 of an arcminute, 1/3,600 of a degree.

Convert arcseconds to any angle unit

1 arcsecond = 0.000277777778 degrees

Quick facts

Unit
Arcsecond (plural: arcseconds)
Symbol
Measures
Angles
System
Common
Equals
0.000004848137 radians
Definition
1/3,600 of a degree.
Also written
second of arc, arcsec

1 arcsecond in other units

Degrees0.000277777778 °
Radians0.000004848137 rad
Arcminutes0.01666666667 ′
Gradians0.000308641975 grad
Milliradians0.004848136811 mrad
Turns7.7160494 × 10-7 tr
NATO mils0.004938271605 mil

What is a arcsecond?

The arcsecond is 1/60 of an arcminute, 1/3,600 of a degree. It is the unit of astronomical parallax and of the sharpness of telescope images; a parsec is defined by one arcsecond of parallax.

Where the arcsecond sits among angle units

The arcsecond is number 4 of 24 on our scale of angle units, ordered from smallest to largest.

Arcseconds in real life

  • A US quarter seen from 5 km subtends about 1 arcsecond
  • The Hubble telescope resolves about 0.05 arcseconds

Top arcsecond conversions

Common amounts of arcseconds

Convert arcseconds to all 23 other units

Common

Astronomy & precision

Traditional & military

Convert to arcseconds

Frequently asked questions

What is a arcsecond?

The arcsecond is 1/60 of an arcminute, 1/3,600 of a degree.

How is the arcsecond defined?

1/3,600 of a degree.

How many degrees are in a arcsecond?

One arcsecond equals 0.000277777778 degrees.

How many radians are in a arcsecond?

One arcsecond equals 0.000004848137 radians.

How many arcminutes are in a arcsecond?

One arcsecond equals 0.01666666667 arcminutes.