Roman numerals use seven letters to write numbers: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500 and M = 1,000. You add the letters up, so VI is 6 and XX is 20. But when a smaller letter comes before a bigger one, you subtract it, so IV is 4 and XC is 90.
That is almost the whole system. With the six subtraction pairs below, you can read and write any number from 1 to 3,999, the largest number in the standard form. This guide gives you a chart from 1 to 100, simple steps for converting both ways, years like 2026 (MMXXVI), and the mistakes people make most often.
- The seven symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, M
- Add when letters go from big to small: XV = 15
- Subtract when a small letter comes first: IX = 9
- This year: 2026 = MMXXVI
- Largest standard number: 3,999 = MMMCMXCIX
The seven Roman numeral symbols
| Symbol | Value |
|---|---|
| I | 1 |
| V | 5 |
| X | 10 |
| L | 50 |
| C | 100 |
| D | 500 |
| M | 1,000 |
There is no Roman numeral for zero. The system also has no place values like our 1s, 10s and 100s columns, which is why Roman numerals can be long. 3,888 needs 15 letters: MMMDCCCLXXXVIII.
The rules for writing Roman numerals
- Write bigger values first and add them up. LXVI = 50 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 66.
- Repeat I, X, C and M up to three times. III = 3, XXX = 30, CCC = 300. Four in a row (IIII) is avoided in the standard form.
- Never repeat V, L or D. 10 is X, not VV.
- Use only these six subtraction pairs: IV (4), IX (9), XL (40), XC (90), CD (400) and CM (900).
The subtraction pairs follow a pattern. I can only go before V and X. X can only go before L and C. C can only go before D and M. V, L and D are never subtracted. That is why 99 is XCIX (90 + 9), not IC.
Roman numerals chart: 1 to 100
| Number | Roman | Number | Roman | Number | Roman |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | 11 | XI | 10 | X |
| 2 | II | 12 | XII | 20 | XX |
| 3 | III | 13 | XIII | 30 | XXX |
| 4 | IV | 14 | XIV | 40 | XL |
| 5 | V | 15 | XV | 50 | L |
| 6 | VI | 16 | XVI | 60 | LX |
| 7 | VII | 17 | XVII | 70 | LXX |
| 8 | VIII | 18 | XVIII | 80 | LXXX |
| 9 | IX | 19 | XIX | 90 | XC |
| 10 | X | 20 | XX | 100 | C |
To write any number from 21 to 99, join a tens numeral to a ones numeral. For example, 47 is XL (40) + VII (7) = XLVII, and 84 is LXXX (80) + IV (4) = LXXXIV.
Hundreds and thousands
| Number | Roman | Number | Roman |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | C | 600 | DC |
| 200 | CC | 700 | DCC |
| 300 | CCC | 800 | DCCC |
| 400 | CD | 900 | CM |
| 500 | D | 1,000 | M |
| 2,000 | MM | 3,000 | MMM |
How to convert a number to Roman numerals
Split the number into thousands, hundreds, tens and ones. Then write each part and join them. Here is 1,947:
- Thousands: 1,000 = M
- Hundreds: 900 = CM
- Tens: 40 = XL
- Ones: 7 = VII
- Join them: M + CM + XL + VII = MCMXLVII
How to read Roman numerals
Read from left to right. Add each letter’s value, but if a letter is smaller than the one after it, subtract it instead. Here is MCMXCIX:
- M = 1,000
- CM = 900 (C is smaller than M, so 1,000 − 100)
- XC = 90 (100 − 10)
- IX = 9 (10 − 1)
- Total: 1,000 + 900 + 90 + 9 = 1,999
Years in Roman numerals
You will often see years in Roman numerals at the end of film credits, on buildings and on book title pages.
| Year | Roman numerals |
|---|---|
| 1947 | MCMXLVII |
| 1950 | MCML |
| 1990 | MCMXC |
| 1999 | MCMXCIX |
| 2000 | MM |
| 2010 | MMX |
| 2024 | MMXXIV |
| 2025 | MMXXV |
| 2026 | MMXXVI |
| 2027 | MMXXVII |
Where Roman numerals are used today
- Clocks and watches. Many clock faces show the hours in Roman numerals. Many show 4 as IIII instead of IV. Several reasons are suggested, such as visual balance with VIII on the other side, but none has been proven.
- Super Bowl numbers. The NFL numbers its championship games in Roman numerals. Super Bowl LX (60) was played on 8 February 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in California. The 2016 game at the same stadium was called Super Bowl 50 instead of “Super Bowl L”.
- Monarchs and popes, such as Charles III or Elizabeth II.
- Book chapters, volumes and outlines, often with lower-case letters (i, ii, iii) for introduction pages.
- Film and TV copyright years, such as MMXXVI.
Common Roman numeral mistakes
| Number | Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | IIX | VIII | Only one smaller letter can be subtracted |
| 99 | IC | XCIX | I can only go before V or X |
| 45 | VL | XLV | V is never subtracted |
| 1999 | MIM | MCMXCIX | I can’t be subtracted from M |
| 40 | XXXX | XL | Use a subtraction pair instead of four in a row |
Roman numerals in Excel and on computers
- Excel:
=ROMAN(2026)returns MMXXVI. Microsoft says the function only works up to 3,999 and gives an error for negative numbers. Its optional “form” setting can produce shorter, non-standard numerals. For example, 499 is CDXCIX in the classic form but ID in the simplified form, so keep the default for correct results. - Typing them: just use the ordinary capital letters I, V, X and so on. Unicode also has special one-character numerals such as Ⅳ and Ⅻ, mainly for clock faces and lists. Unicode marks them as “compatibility” characters that break down into the normal letters, so plain letters are usually the better choice for search and screen readers.
Roman numerals are one of many ways to write numbers. To explore others, such as binary and hexadecimal, try the Number System Converter. To write numbers out in English words, use the Number to Words Converter.
Frequently asked questions
What is 2026 in Roman numerals?
MMXXVI. That is MM (2,000) + XX (20) + VI (6).
What is 4 in Roman numerals?
IV, which means one less than five. Clock faces often show IIII instead.
What is the largest Roman numeral?
In the standard form, 3,999, written MMMCMXCIX. It is also the highest number Excel’s ROMAN function accepts.
Is there a Roman numeral for zero?
No. Roman numerals have no symbol for zero.
What does XL mean in Roman numerals?
40. X (10) comes before L (50), so you subtract: 50 − 10 = 40.
How do you write 1999 in Roman numerals?
MCMXCIX: M (1,000) + CM (900) + XC (90) + IX (9). MIM looks shorter but isn’t correct in the standard form.
