DEGREES Function (LibreOffice Calc)
The DEGREES function in LibreOffice Calc converts an angle measured in radians into degrees. It is essential for trigonometry, geometry, engineering, and any calculation involving angle conversions.
Compatibility
▾| Excel | ✔ |
| Gnumeric | ✔ |
| Google_sheets | ✔ |
| Libreoffice | ✔ |
| Numbers | ✔ |
| Onlyoffice | ✔ |
| Openoffice | ✔ |
| Wps | ✔ |
| Zoho | ✔ |
What the DEGREES Function Does ▾
- Converts radians → degrees
- Uses the formula:
degrees = radians × 180 / π - Works with numeric values and cell references
- Essential for trigonometric functions that expect radians
It is designed to be simple, precise, and universally compatible.
Syntax ▾
DEGREES(number)
Arguments
- number:
An angle in radians.
Basic Examples ▾
Convert π radians to degrees
=DEGREES(PI())
Returns 180.
Convert π/2 radians to degrees
=DEGREES(PI() / 2)
Returns 90.
Convert a cell value from radians to degrees
=DEGREES(A1)
Convert 1 radian to degrees
=DEGREES(1)
Returns approximately 57.29577951.
Advanced Examples ▾
Manual conversion using PI()
=A1 * 180 / PI()
Equivalent to DEGREES(A1).
Convert SIN output angle (inverse trig)
=DEGREES(ASIN(A1))
Returns angle in degrees.
Convert angle for geometric formulas
=DEGREES(ATAN(B1 / A1))
Useful for slope and direction calculations.
Convert radians from trigonometric identities
=DEGREES(2 * PI() / 3)
Returns 120.
Convert angle for engineering calculations
=DEGREES(ACOS(A1))
Used in vector and force calculations.
Convert radians for navigation
=DEGREES(ATAN2(A1; B1))
Returns heading in degrees.
Common Errors and Fixes ▾
DEGREES returns Err:502
Occurs when:
- number is text
- number cannot be coerced to a numeric value
- parentheses are missing
DEGREES returns unexpected results
Cause:
- Input is already in degrees
- Input is not a radian measure
- Input is negative or > 2π (still valid but may be unexpected)
DEGREES returns 0
Possible causes:
- Input is extremely small
- Cell formatting hides decimals
Best Practices ▾
- Use DEGREES when converting radian outputs to degrees
- Use RADIANS when converting degree inputs to radians
- Always confirm whether a function expects radians or degrees
- Use PI() for precise conversions
- Avoid mixing degree and radian units in the same formula
Most trigonometric functions in Calc expect radians — DEGREES is essential when you want human‑readable angles.
Related Patterns and Alternatives ▾
- Use RADIANS to convert degrees → radians
- Use PI() for manual conversions
- Use SIN, COS, TAN for trigonometric calculations
- Use ATAN2 for directional angles
- Use A1 * 180 / PI() for manual conversion
By mastering DEGREES and its companion functions, you can build precise trigonometric and geometric models in LibreOffice Calc that handle angle conversions cleanly and accurately.