Roman Numeral Converter — Chart, Rules & Examples
Convert Roman numerals both ways: type a number (e.g. 2024) or a Roman numeral (e.g. MMXXIV). The converter shows the result with a place-value breakdown and highlights the tricky subtractive pairs. Below you will find every symbol, the rules and full conversion charts.
What are Roman numerals?
The Romans wrote numbers not with digits from 0 to 9, but with letters. Seven basic symbols are combined by fixed rules. The system has no zero and no place value like our decimal system – a numeral’s value comes from adding and subtracting its symbols. We still meet them today on clocks, buildings, in years and chapter numbers.
The seven basic symbols
These are the seven symbols you need to know:
| Symbol | Value |
|---|---|
| I | 1 |
| V | 5 |
| X | 10 |
| L | 50 |
| C | 100 |
| D | 500 |
| M | 1000 |
| Symbol | Value |
|---|---|
| IV | 4 |
| IX | 9 |
| XL | 40 |
| XC | 90 |
| CD | 400 |
| CM | 900 |
Additive and subtractive – the rules
- Additive: equal or smaller symbols on the right are added — VI = 6, XV = 15, LXX = 70.
- Subtractive: a smaller symbol placed before a larger one is subtracted — IV = 4, IX = 9, XL = 40, XC = 90, CD = 400, CM = 900.
- No symbol repeats more than three times in a row: 3 = III, but 4 = IV (not IIII).
- Only I, X and C may be subtracted, and only before the next two larger symbols (I before V and X, X before L and C, C before D and M).
- The classic range is 1 to 3999 (I to MMMCMXCIX).
Understand Latin instead of cramming — try it right now.
Conversion charts
The most common numbers at a glance – for reference and printing:
| Number | Roman |
|---|---|
| 1 | I |
| 2 | II |
| 3 | III |
| 4 | IV |
| 5 | V |
| 6 | VI |
| 7 | VII |
| 8 | VIII |
| 9 | IX |
| 10 | X |
| 11 | XI |
| 12 | XII |
| 13 | XIII |
| 14 | XIV |
| 15 | XV |
| 16 | XVI |
| 17 | XVII |
| 18 | XVIII |
| 19 | XIX |
| 20 | XX |
| Number | Roman |
|---|---|
| 10 | X |
| 20 | XX |
| 30 | XXX |
| 40 | XL |
| 50 | L |
| 60 | LX |
| 70 | LXX |
| 80 | LXXX |
| 90 | XC |
| 100 | C |
| Number | Roman |
|---|---|
| 100 | C |
| 200 | CC |
| 300 | CCC |
| 400 | CD |
| 500 | D |
| 600 | DC |
| 700 | DCC |
| 800 | DCCC |
| 900 | CM |
| 1000 | M |
| Year | Roman |
|---|---|
| 1500 | MD |
| 1800 | MDCCC |
| 1900 | MCM |
| 1999 | MCMXCIX |
| 2000 | MM |
| 2020 | MMXX |
| 2024 | MMXXIV |
| 2025 | MMXXV |
Frequently asked questions
How do you write 4 in Roman numerals?
4 is IV – an I before the V, meaning “one less than five”. The form IIII appears on some clock faces but is not considered classically correct.
Why is there no zero?
The Roman system is additive and has no place value, so a zero is not needed. The concept of zero reached Europe later through the Hindu–Arabic system.
How large can a Roman numeral be?
With the classic symbols, up to 3999 (MMMCMXCIX). Larger numbers used a bar over the symbol (multiplying by 1000), but that is rare in everyday use.
How do I convert quickly?
Just type the number into the converter above – it shows the result with a full breakdown. The tens and hundreds charts are handy for practice.
You might also like our Latin declension tool, the Latin conjugation tool and our printable cheat sheets.
Understand Latin instead of cramming — try it right now.
