Roman Numeral Converter

Reading and writing Roman numerals

Roman numerals use seven letters: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500 and M = 1000. Values are added from left to right, except that a smaller symbol placed before a larger one is subtracted.

The rules

• Subtraction is limited to IV (4), IX (9), XL (40), XC (90), CD (400) and CM (900).
• A symbol is not repeated more than three times in a row.
• Standard Roman numerals cover 1 to 3999.

Worked example

The year 2026 is 2000 + 20 + 6, which is MM + XX + VI, written MMXXVI. The number 1994 is M + CM + XC + IV, written MCMXCIV.

Where they are used

Clock faces, book chapters, outlines, film copyright years and names of kings and sporting events.