Radians to Degrees Excel | How to Convert Angles Easily

Introduction to Radians to Degrees in Excel

Working with angles in Excel often involves switching between radians and degrees. This is especially true for those in engineering, mathematics, or data analysis. Fortunately, Excel includes built-in functions to make this conversion simple and accurate. If you need to convert radians to degrees in Excel, the DEGREES() function is the tool you need 🔄.

It works smoothly across Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu, ensuring consistent results regardless of your platform.

What Are Radians and Degrees

Radians and degrees are two units for measuring angles:

Degrees: There are 360 degrees in a full circle
Radians: There are 2π radians in a full circle

Conversion formula:

Degrees = Radians × (180/π)

For example:

π radians = 180 degrees
1 radian ≈ 57.2958 degrees

Excel can handle this math for you automatically.

Why Use Excel for Angle Conversion

Excel saves time and reduces error when converting angles:

✅ Built-in trigonometric functions
✅ Supports both degrees and radians
✅ Easy to use with large datasets
✅ Compatible with formulas and charts
✅ Runs on Windows, macOS and Ubuntu via LibreOffice

Whether you’re analyzing motion, geometry or physics, Excel makes it fast and reliable.

DEGREES Function in Excel

The DEGREES() function converts radians into degrees. This is useful when your input is in radians but your application or output needs degrees, such as in graphs or angle labels.

Syntax of the DEGREES Function

=DEGREES(angle)

angle: A numeric value in radians
Returns: Angle in degrees

It accepts:

Direct numbers
Cell references
Results from other functions

Step-by-Step: Convert Radians to Degrees in Excel

Open your Excel file
Select a cell
Enter the formula:

=DEGREES(PI())

Press Enter
Result: 180

🎯 You’ve just converted π radians to 180 degrees

Example 1: Convert Pi Radians to Degrees

=DEGREES(PI())

Returns: 180

=DEGREES(PI()/2)

Returns: 90

This is helpful in geometry and trigonometry-based projects.

Example 2: Convert Column of Radians

If column A has radian values:

A (Radians)	B (Degrees)
1.57	`=DEGREES(A2)`
3.14	`=DEGREES(A3)`
0.785	`=DEGREES(A4)`

Result:

A2 = 1.57 → B2 = 89.95
A3 = 3.14 → B3 = 179.91
A4 = 0.785 → B4 = 44.99

Use fill handle to apply down the column quickly 📋

Using Cell References in DEGREES Formula

Instead of typing the number:

=DEGREES(A1)

If A1 contains PI()/3 or any radian value, the formula updates dynamically when A1 changes.

Perfect for dashboards or interactive templates.

Converting Degrees Back to Radians

To convert degrees to radians, use:

=RADIANS(90)

Returns: 1.5708

This is essential when switching between different trig functions like SIN() or COS()

Combining DEGREES with Other Functions

Use DEGREES inside other calculations:

=DEGREES(ACOS(0.5))

This gives the angle in degrees for the arc cosine of 0.5
✅ Compatible with trigonometric functions

Another example:

=DEGREES(ATAN(1))

Returns 45

DEGREES Formula on Windows

Press F2 to edit
Use Tab to autocomplete =DEGREES
Excel versions 2007 and newer fully support this function

💻 Great for engineers and analysts

DEGREES Formula on macOS

Excel for Mac works the same as on Windows
Use Control + U to edit formula
All Office for Mac versions support the DEGREES function

🍏 A seamless cross-platform experience

DEGREES in LibreOffice Calc on Ubuntu

In Calc, use:

=DEGREES(A1)

LibreOffice recognizes the same function names as Excel
🐧 Perfect for open-source systems like Ubuntu or Mint

Formatting Angle Output in Excel

Select your result cells
Go to Format Cells > Number > Custom
Add a unit label like 0"°" to display angles with symbols

Improves readability in reports and technical documents

Common Errors with Angle Conversions

Error	Cause	Solution
`#VALUE!`	Non-numeric input	Ensure input is a number or formula
Wrong result	Forgot PI function	Use `PI()` instead of typing 3.14 manually
Inaccurate output	Rounded decimals	Increase decimal places or use `ROUND()`

Always verify units before using the result in calculations or visuals

Visualizing Radian to Degree Data in Charts

Convert radians to degrees
Plot on a line or scatter chart
Label axes appropriately
Use TEXT() function to display angle labels

📊 Useful in physics labs, mechanical engineering and navigation studies

DEGREES vs Manual Conversion

Manual method:

=Radians * 180/PI()

While accurate, it’s longer and less readable. Use =DEGREES() for clarity and ease.

Method	Pros	Cons
`DEGREES()`	Simple, built-in	None
Manual formula	Flexible formatting	Harder to read

FAQs About Radians to Degrees in Excel

What is the function to convert radians to degrees in Excel?
Use =DEGREES(radian_value) to convert radians into degrees.

Does Excel have a built-in constant for π?
Yes. Use PI() to represent 3.14159 in formulas.

Can I convert multiple radians at once?
Yes. Use the formula in a column and drag it down.

Is DEGREES function available on Mac and Ubuntu?
Yes. It works on Excel for macOS and LibreOffice Calc on Linux.

What is the inverse of DEGREES in Excel?
Use RADIANS() to convert degrees back to radians.

Final Thoughts on Radians to Degrees in Excel

The Radians to Degrees Excel conversion is a small but powerful tool in any analyst’s or student’s skillset. With the DEGREES() function, you can perform accurate angle conversions instantly. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS or Ubuntu, this function helps you keep your math correct and your spreadsheets sharp 🌐

Next time you’re working with circular data or trigonometry, let Excel handle the angles for you.

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

Advertisment