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Roman Numeral Converter

Convert numbers 1–3999 to Roman numerals and Roman numerals back to numbers, with the rules explained and a quick chart of common years.

Roman numeral
MMXXVI
Number
1994

Common years

  • 1776 = MDCCLXXVI
  • 1900 = MCM
  • 1984 = MCMLXXXIV
  • 1999 = MCMXCIX
  • 2000 = MM
  • 2010 = MMX
  • 2020 = MMXX
  • 2025 = MMXXV
  • 2026 = MMXXVI
  • 2027 = MMXXVII
  • 2030 = MMXXX
  • 2050 = MML

The rules

Seven letters: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000. Letters are written largest first and added. A smaller letter before a larger one is subtracted, but only in six pairs: IV (4), IX (9), XL (40), XC (90), CD (400) and CM (900).

No letter repeats more than three times in a row, which is why 4 is IV rather than IIII (clock faces are a traditional exception). Standard numerals stop at 3999 (MMMCMXCIX).

Years

Film credits and building dates use Roman years: 1999 = MCMXCIX, 2000 = MM, 2026 = MMXXVI.

Frequently asked questions

What is 2026 in Roman numerals?

MMXXVI.

Why is 4 written IV and not IIII?

Standard form uses subtraction to avoid four repeated letters. IIII appears on some clock faces by tradition.

Is there a Roman numeral for zero?

No. The Roman system had no zero; the largest standard numeral is 3999.

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