How to Read and Write Roman Numerals
Updated June 2026
Numbers ↔ Roman numerals.
Roman numerals show up on clocks, movie credits, and Super Bowls. Once you know seven symbols and one rule, you can read any of them.
The seven symbols
| Symbol | Value | Symbol | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | C | 100 |
| V | 5 | D | 500 |
| X | 10 | M | 1,000 |
| L | 50 |
The rule: add, except when you subtract
Read left to right and add the values: XVI = 10 + 5 + 1 = 16. But when a smaller symbol sits
before a larger one, you subtract it: IV = 4, IX = 9, XL = 40,
CM = 900.
Worked example
MCMXCIV = M (1000) + CM (900) + XC (90) + IV (4) = 1994.
Quick conversions
| Number | Roman | Number | Roman |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | IV | 50 | L |
| 9 | IX | 90 | XC |
| 14 | XIV | 2025 | MMXXV |
For any number, the converter below does it instantly in both directions.
Numbers ↔ Roman numerals.
Frequently asked questions
Why is 4 written IV and not IIII?
The subtraction rule keeps numerals short: a smaller symbol before a larger one means subtract, so IV (5−1) = 4. (Clock faces sometimes use IIII for tradition.)
Is there a Roman numeral for zero?
No. The Roman system has no symbol for zero; the concept came later from other number systems.