How Roman numerals work
Seven letters carry values: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000. Add them left to right, except when a smaller letter comes before a larger one — then subtract it (IV = 4, IX = 9, XL = 40, XC = 90, CD = 400, CM = 900). A letter repeats at most three times.
Example: 1994 = 1000 (M) + 900 (CM) + 90 (XC) + 4 (IV) = MCMXCIV.
Frequently asked questions
What is 2026 in Roman numerals?
MMXXVI: MM (2000) + XX (20) + VI (6).
Is there a Roman numeral for zero?
No. Roman numerals have no zero, which is why converters start at 1.
Why does the converter stop at 3999?
Standard notation only allows M three times, so MMMCMXCIX (3999) is the largest. Larger numbers used a bar over letters to multiply by 1,000, which isn't standardised.
Is IIII a valid Roman numeral?
IV is the standard form of 4, but IIII appears on many clock faces. The converter flags non-standard forms and suggests the standard one.