Coordinates are written as (x, y) meaning the point on the x axis is written first, followed by the point on the y axis. Some children may be taught to remember this with the phrase 'along the corridor, up the stairs', meaning that they should follow the x axis first and then the y.

How should coordinates be written?

Write the latitude and longitude coordinates.

When writing latitude and longitude, write latitude first, followed by a comma, and then longitude. For example, the above lines of latitude and longitude would be written as "15°N, 30°E."

Do you write latitude or longitude first?

Handy tip: when giving a co-ordinate, latitude (north or south) always precedes longitude (east or west). Latitude and longitude are divided in degrees (°), minutes (') and seconds (“). There are 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute (similar to measuring time).