How to use the Roman numeral converter
Type a number such as 1994 to get its Roman numeral, or type a Roman numeral such as MCMXCIV to get the number. Upper or lower case both work. The result shows how the numeral breaks down into its parts.
Roman numeral symbols
| Symbol | I | V | X | L | C | D | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 1 | 5 | 10 | 50 | 100 | 500 | 1,000 |
Rules for writing Roman numerals
- Add symbols written from largest to smallest: VI = 5 + 1 = 6, LXX = 50 + 10 + 10 = 70.
- Subtract a smaller symbol placed before a larger one. Only six pairs are used: IV (4), IX (9), XL (40), XC (90), CD (400), CM (900).
- Repeat I, X, C and M up to three times in a row (III = 3, XXX = 30). V, L and D are never repeated.
- Convert a number one place value at a time: 1994 = 1000 + 900 + 90 + 4 = M + CM + XC + IV = MCMXCIV.
Roman numerals chart
| Number | Roman | Number | Roman | Number | Roman |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | 11 | XI | 40 | XL |
| 2 | II | 12 | XII | 50 | L |
| 3 | III | 13 | XIII | 60 | LX |
| 4 | IV | 14 | XIV | 90 | XC |
| 5 | V | 15 | XV | 100 | C |
| 6 | VI | 19 | XIX | 400 | CD |
| 7 | VII | 20 | XX | 500 | D |
| 8 | VIII | 24 | XXIV | 900 | CM |
| 9 | IX | 29 | XXIX | 1000 | M |
| 10 | X | 30 | XXX | 2000 | MM |
Years in Roman numerals
| Year | Roman numeral |
|---|---|
| 1990 | MCMXC |
| 2000 | MM |
| 2010 | MMX |
| 2020 | MMXX |
| 2025 | MMXXV |
| 2026 | MMXXVI |
| 2027 | MMXXVII |
Roman numerals are still used for clock faces, book chapters, movie copyright years, monarchs (Elizabeth II), Super Bowls and tattoos of important dates. For dates, convert the day, month and year separately — for example 14.07.2026 is XIV.VII.MMXXVI.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write 2026 in Roman numerals?
2026 is MMXXVI: MM (2000) + XX (20) + VI (6).
What is the largest Roman numeral?
With standard symbols the largest number is 3,999 (MMMCMXCIX). Larger numbers were written with a bar over a numeral to multiply it by 1,000, but that notation is not standard today.
Is there a Roman numeral for zero?
No. The Roman system had no symbol for zero. Medieval scholars sometimes wrote "nulla" (nothing) or N instead.
Why is 4 written as IV and not IIII?
Standard Roman numerals use subtraction for 4 and 9 (IV and IX) to avoid repeating a symbol four times. Some clock faces still show IIII for 4 for visual balance.
How do I convert Roman numerals to numbers?
Add the values of the symbols from left to right, but subtract any symbol that comes before a larger one. MCMXCIV = 1000 + (1000 − 100) + (100 − 10) + (5 − 1) = 1994.
Conversions use the internationally agreed definitions of each unit (for example, 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly) and are rounded for display. Volume converters use US customary units unless stated otherwise.
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