Los Angeles is one of California’s, and the United States’, most important cities. It’s a hub of culture, economics, and history.
Looking for the exact coordinates for Los Angeles? This guide will give you the latitude and longitude, plus other information about the city’s location.
What are the latitude and longitude coordinates for Los Angeles?
If you’re trying to pinpoint Los Angeles on a map or GPS device, you’ll need its coordinates, which can be expressed in decimal form or in degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS).
Decimal coordinates
- Latitude: 34.05 or 34.052235
- Longitude: -118.24 or -118.243683
Latitude is the distance of a point north or south of the Equator, expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Longitude is the distance of a point east or west of the Prime Meridian, also expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds.
DMS (degrees, minutes, seconds) coordinates
The DMS coordinates for Los Angeles are 34°3’8.03″N, 118°14’37.25″W. This format breaks down each degree into 60 minutes, and each minute into 60 seconds, offering a more precise location.
Other coordinate systems and geographic data
UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinates
Los Angeles can also be located using the UTM coordinate system:
- UTM Easting: 385,215.53
- UTM Northing: 3,768,645.35
The UTM system divides the earth into zones and then uses metric measurements (Easting and Northing) to pinpoint a location within that zone.
Distance from key geographic landmarks
Los Angeles is:
- 3786 km (2353 mi) from the Equator
- 10079 km (6263 mi) from the Prime Meridian
- 6221 km (3865 mi) from the North Pole
Time Zone
Los Angeles currently observes Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), which is in the GMT-7 time zone. That means Los Angeles is seven hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. During Standard Time, Los Angeles is GMT-8. Daylight Saving Time typically runs from March to November.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the GPS coordinates of California?
Because California is such a large state, there isn’t one single set of GPS coordinates. However, you can consider the state’s geographic center to be near North Fork, which is approximately at 37.38° N latitude and 119.56° W longitude. Of course, for specific locations within California, you’ll need to find those individual coordinates.
Where is LA located?
LA, short for Los Angeles, is located in Southern California, along the Pacific coast. More specifically, it sits within Los Angeles County, and is a major hub within the larger Los Angeles metropolitan area. Its coastal location and proximity to other major Californian cities like San Diego and San Francisco make it a significant cultural and economic center.
What are the coordinates of 34.0522° N, 118.2437° W?
The coordinates 34.0522° N, 118.2437° W pinpoint the location of Downtown Los Angeles. So if you plug those coordinates into a GPS device or mapping application, you’ll find yourself right in the heart of the city!
In Closing
Los Angeles sits at approximately 34.0522° N latitude and 118.2437° W longitude and observes Pacific Standard Time. As one of the world’s most important cities, knowing its coordinates is essential for everything from creating accurate maps to planning your next trip.