How to use the Excel DEGREES function

Summary

The Excel DEGREES function converts angles (expressed in radians) to degrees. For example, the formula =DEGREES(PI()) returns 180.

Purpose

Converts radians to degrees

Return value

Degrees

Syntax

=DEGREES (angle)

Arguments

angle - Angle in radians that you want to convert to degrees.

Usage notes

The DEGREES function takes an angle in radians and converts it to degrees. Radians measure angles using the radius of a circle, as illustrated in this image:

Radians measure angles using the radius of a circle

To convert degrees back to radians, you can use the RADIANS function.

Converting degrees to radians manually

Because Pi = 180°, the general formula for degrees to radians is degrees * PI()/180. For example, to convert 45° to radians, the Excel formula would be 45*PI( )/180 which equals 0.7854 radians. More examples in the table below:

Formula	Degrees
=2*PI()	360
=PI()	180
=90*PI()/180	90
=45*PI()/180	45
=30*PI()/180	30
=20*PI()/180	20

Related functions

Excel RADIANS Function

The Excel RADIANS function converts degrees to radians. For example, =RADIANS(180) returns 3.1415 or the value of π (pi).

Excel PI Function

The Excel PI function returns the value of the geometric constant π (pi). The value represents a half-rotation in the radian angle system. The constant appears in many formulas relating the the circle such as the area of a circle.