Roman numeral converter
Unit conversionHow do you write that in Roman numerals?
Turn a number into Roman numerals, or Roman numerals into a number, in the standard form from 1 to 3999.
What you enter stays on your device while you use this tool. Opening a shared link sends the settings in its address to HowToolbox to prepare the page.
For example 1994 or MCMXCIV
Roman numerals
MCMXCIV
1994 is MCMXCIV in Roman numerals.
How it is built
- Symbols
- M + CM + XC + IV
- Values
- 1000 + 900 + 90 + 4
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Turn a number into Roman numerals, or Roman numerals into a number, in the standard form from 1 to 3999.
How to use
- Type a number from 1 to 3999 to see it in Roman numerals, or type Roman numerals to see the number.
- Read how the numeral is built, symbol by symbol, below the answer.
- Copy the answer, or copy the link to share the same conversion.
How it works
Roman numerals use seven letters: I is 1, V is 5, X is 10, L is 50, C is 100, D is 500 and M is 1000. A number is written by adding the values of the symbols, largest first, so 1776 is M + DCC + LXX + VI = MDCCLXXVI.
To avoid four equal letters in a row, 4, 9, 40, 90, 400 and 900 use a subtractive pair: a smaller symbol in front of a larger one is taken away. IV is 5 − 1, IX is 10 − 1, XL, XC, CD and CM work the same way. So 1994 is M + CM + XC + IV = MCMXCIV.
This converter uses that standard form, which reaches 3999 (MMMCMXCIX); there is no zero and no standard symbol for 4000 or more. Older or decorative writing sometimes differs, for example IIII on clock faces, and those spellings are refused with a reason so you can see what to change.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is 4 written IV and not IIII?
Standard form never repeats a letter four times: 4 is 5 − 1. Clock faces often use IIII as a convention, but it is not the standard numeral.
Why does it stop at 3999?
The standard letters give no way to write 4000 or more without extra marks, such as a bar over a numeral for a thousand times as much, and those are not part of the basic system.
Is there a Roman numeral for zero?
No. Romans had no symbol for zero in this system. The word nulla was used in a few medieval texts, and N is sometimes used for it, but the standard numerals start at 1.
Can I use lower case?
Yes. Letters are read in either case, and the answer is shown in capitals.
Why is IC rejected for 99?
Only the standard subtractive pairs are accepted. Write 99 as XCIX: 90 + 9, not 100 − 1.
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