How to use it
- Choose Number → Roman or Roman → number.
- Type the number or the numeral.
- Read the result and its breakdown.
- Copy the result.
The seven symbols
| Symbol | Value |
|---|---|
| I | 1 |
| V | 5 |
| X | 10 |
| L | 50 |
| C | 100 |
| D | 500 |
| M | 1,000 |
Roman numerals are written from the largest value to the smallest and added up: MDCLXVI = 1,000 + 500 + 100 + 50 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 1,666.
An easy way to remember the order: I Very X-cellent Little Cats Drink Milk, or any phrase you like with the letters I, V, X, L, C, D, M. Each symbol is either a power of ten (I, X, C, M) or five times one (V, L, D). Only the powers of ten can repeat (up to three times) or be used for subtraction; V, L and D never appear twice in a row and are never subtracted.
The subtraction rule
When a smaller symbol comes before a larger one, it's subtracted. Only six pairs are allowed:
| Pair | Value |
|---|---|
| IV | 4 |
| IX | 9 |
| XL | 40 |
| XC | 90 |
| CD | 400 |
| CM | 900 |
That's why 1984 is MCMLXXXIV: M (1,000) + CM (900) + LXXX (80) + IV (4). A symbol is never repeated more than three times in a row, so 4 is IV, not IIII, and 40 is XL, not XXXX. (Clock faces are a famous exception: many show IIII for 4.)
Years in Roman numerals
| Year | Roman numeral |
|---|---|
| 1776 | MDCCLXXVI |
| 1900 | MCM |
| 1999 | MCMXCIX |
| 2000 | MM |
| 2024 | MMXXIV |
| 2025 | MMXXV |
| 2026 | MMXXVI |
| 2027 | MMXXVII |
You'll see Roman years in movie credits, on cornerstones and in copyright lines. Super Bowls are numbered with them too: Super Bowl LX (60) was played in 2026. Wedding dates for tattoos and engraving are popular as well, for example 06.14.2025 written as VI.XIV.MMXXV.
Checking a numeral
In the Roman → number direction, the converter only accepts the standard (canonical) form. If you type something unusual, such as IIII, VX or IC, it tells you the numeral isn't valid and, where it can, shows the correct way to write that value. This is handy for proofreading a date before you engrave it or print it on an invitation. Upper and lower case both work, and spaces are ignored around the input.
Why 3,999 is the limit
Standard Roman numerals have no symbol above M, and M can only repeat three times, so the largest number you can write is MMMCMXCIX = 3,999. Larger values were written with a bar over a numeral (meaning × 1,000), but that notation was never standardized. There is also no Roman numeral for zero, and no way to write fractions or negative numbers. Everything is calculated in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write 2026 in Roman numerals?
MMXXVI: MM (2,000) + XX (20) + VI (6).
What is IV?
IV is 4: I (1) subtracted from V (5).
Is there a Roman numeral for zero?
No. The Romans had no symbol for zero; the word nulla (none) was sometimes used instead.
Why do some clocks show IIII instead of IV?
It's a long-standing clockmaking tradition, possibly for visual balance with VIII on the other side. In standard notation 4 is IV.
What's the biggest number in Roman numerals?
In standard notation, 3,999 (MMMCMXCIX).
Last updated: November 12, 2026