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Roman Numeral Converter

Convert numbers from 1 to 3,999 into Roman numerals, or read a numeral as a number.

By Nitin Raturi · Last reviewed

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How to use the Roman Numeral Converter

Convert either way between numbers and Roman numerals.

  1. Type a number such as 2026, or a numeral such as MCMXCIV.
  2. Read the conversion at the top of the result.
  3. Check the breakdown by thousands, hundreds, tens and units.

Good to know

  • Numerals above 3,999 need a bar over the letters, which this tool does not use.
  • If a numeral is not in standard form, the message shows the standard spelling.

Type a number from 1 to 3,999 or a Roman numeral.

Number or numeral

A whole number to write in Roman numerals, or a Roman numeral to read as a number.

How to fill it in

  • Type digits (1 to 3,999) or letters I, V, X, L, C, D and M; the direction is detected.
  • Lower case is fine; spaces and commas are ignored.

Example

2026 is MMXXVI; MCMXCIV is 1994.

Keep in mind: Only the standard spelling is accepted: 4 is IV, not IIII.

2,026 in Roman numerals

MMXXVI

2,026 is written MMXXVI.

2,000
MM
20
XX
6
VI

Standard subtractive form: IV for 4, IX for 9, XL for 40, XC for 90, CD for 400 and CM for 900.

ChangelogHow we test this toolEmbed this tool

How this calculator works

  1. Step 1Split by place2000 + 20 + 6Thousands, hundreds, tens and units.
  2. Step 2Write each placeMM · XX · VIEach place has its own one, five and ten symbols.
  3. Step 3JoinMMXXVIPut the pieces together, largest first.

Roman numerals use seven letters: I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500) and M (1,000). Each decimal place is written on its own and the pieces are joined.

Type digits and the tool writes the numeral; type letters and it reads the number.

Worked example: 2026

2026 in Roman numerals
Rule
write each place value, then join
  1. 2000MM
  2. 20XX
  3. 6VI
  4. 2026MMXXVI

Zero places are skipped: 2026 has no hundreds, so nothing is written for them.

Reading a numeral: MCMXCIV

MCMXCIV as a number
Rule
a smaller symbol before a larger one is subtracted
  1. M1000
  2. CM900
  3. XC90
  4. IV4
  5. MCMXCIV1994

CM is 1,000 − 100, XC is 100 − 10 and IV is 5 − 1.

The subtractive pairs

  • StandardIVFour is one before five. The same idea gives IX, XL, XC, CD and CM.
  • Not standardIIIISeen on some clock faces; the converter suggests the standard spelling.

Standard numerals stop at 3999, written MMMCMXCIX.

Assumptions and limits

  • 1 to 3,999There is no Roman zero or negative.
  • Any casemcmxciv and MCMXCIV are read the same.
  • No bar notationA bar for thousands is not supported.
  • Strict formOnly the standard spelling is accepted.

Roman numerals have no zero and stop at 3,999 in standard form.

To write a number out in words, use the number to words converter. For dates, the day of the week calculator finds the weekday of any year.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Writing 99 as IC.

    Instead: Write each place: XC + IX = XCIX.

  • Mistake: Writing 4 as IIII.

    Instead: Use IV; no symbol repeats more than three times.

  • Mistake: Writing 1990 as MXM.

    Instead: Use MCMXC: M, then CM, then XC.

Checking the method

A separate script converts with a different method, the greedy table, and round-trips all 3,999 numbers.

Read how we test our calculators, or browse more everyday tools.

Frequently asked questions

How do you write 2026 in Roman numerals?

MMXXVI: MM for 2,000, XX for 20 and VI for 6.

What number is MCMXCIV?

1994: M (1,000) + CM (900) + XC (90) + IV (4).

Why is 4 written IV and not IIII?

Standard form puts I before V to mean 5 − 1, so 4 is IV. IIII appears on some clocks but is not standard.

What is the largest Roman numeral?

In standard form, MMMCMXCIX (3999). Larger numbers used a bar over letters.

Is there a Roman numeral for zero?

No. Roman numerals have no zero; the converter starts at 1.

Sources and methodology

The formulas are standard time-value-of-money results. We check every figure against golden values worked out independently, by closed form and by month-by-month simulation; see the methodology.

Written and maintained by Nitin Raturi, a software engineer (about the author). Last reviewed 4 Nov 2026; next review due by . Found an error? Tell us.

Changelog

  • : Initial release.

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