Roman Numeral Converter
Type in either field to convert.
Invalid input. Integer must be 1–3999. Roman numerals use I, V, X, L, C, D, M only.
Roman Numeral Symbols
| Symbol | Value |
|---|---|
| I | 1 |
| V | 5 |
| X | 10 |
| L | 50 |
| C | 100 |
| D | 500 |
| M | 1000 |
Roman Numerals – Rules and History
Roman numerals are a numeral system originating in ancient Rome. They use combinations of seven letters from the Latin alphabet to represent numbers. They remain in use today for clock faces, book chapters, movie sequels, sporting events (Super Bowl LIX), and the names of popes and monarchs.
Subtractive Notation Rules
Roman numerals use subtractive notation to avoid four repeated symbols:
- IV = 4 (I before V means 5−1)
- IX = 9 (I before X means 10−1)
- XL = 40, XC = 90
- CD = 400, CM = 900
Common Examples
| Number | Roman |
|---|---|
| 2024 | MMXXIV |
| 1999 | MCMXCIX |
| 2025 | MMXXV |
| 14 | XIV |
| 42 | XLII |
| 100 | C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Roman numerals stop at 3999?
The traditional Roman numeral system has no way to represent numbers larger than 3,999 without using a bar (vinculum) over letters to indicate multiplication by 1000. Standard digital representations limit to 3,999 (MMMCMXCIX).
Is there a zero in Roman numerals?
No. The Roman numeral system has no representation for zero. The concept of zero was introduced to Europe from Arabic/Indian mathematics during the medieval period.
Where are Roman numerals still used today?
Clock faces (I–XII), copyright years in films and TV, Super Bowl numbers, Olympic Games, names of rulers and popes (Henry VIII, Pope Francis I), book preface pages, and chapter numbering in formal documents.