Quick answer: Roman numerals use the letters I, V, X, L, C, D and M for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000, written from largest to smallest and added, with a smaller letter before a larger one subtracted. So 1994 is MCMXCIV (1000 + 900 + 90 + 4) and 2026 is MMXXVI.
Roman numerals still appear on clocks, in book chapters, film credits, building cornerstones, sports finals and the names of kings and popes. This converter works both ways: type a number to see the Roman numeral, or type a Roman numeral to see the number.
Under the result it shows the pieces the numeral is made of, so you can see why 1994 is MCMXCIV. It also checks numerals for the correct standard form, and explains the problem if you type something that is not valid.
The Roman numeral rules
Seven letters are used: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500 and M = 1000. Letters are written from largest to smallest and added together, so XVI is 10 + 5 + 1 = 16.
- A letter can be repeated up to three times: III is 3, but 4 is written IV, not IIII.
- A smaller letter placed before a larger one is subtracted. Only I, X and C can be used this way: IV = 4, IX = 9, XL = 40, XC = 90, CD = 400, CM = 900.
- V, L and D are never repeated or used for subtraction.
Standard Roman numerals stop at 3999 (MMMCMXCIX) because there is no letter above M. Some clock faces show 4 as IIII, which is a traditional style, but the standard form used here is IV. There is no Roman numeral for zero.
A worked example
Example. 1994 is written MCMXCIV: M (1000) + CM (900) + XC (90) + IV (4). And the year 2026 is MMXXVI: M + M + X + X + V + I.
Roman numerals reference
| Number | Roman numeral |
|---|---|
| 1 | I |
| 2 | II |
| 3 | III |
| 4 | IV |
| 5 | V |
| 9 | IX |
| 10 | X |
| 40 | XL |
| 50 | L |
| 90 | XC |
| 100 | C |
| 400 | CD |
| 500 | D |
| 900 | CM |
| 1000 | M |
| 1994 | MCMXCIV |
| 2024 | MMXXIV |
| 2026 | MMXXVI |
| 3999 | MMMCMXCIX |
Each row is built with the same rules the converter uses.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Repeating a letter four times. The standard writes 4 as IV and 40 as XL, not IIII or XXXX (clock faces are a traditional exception).
- Subtracting with the wrong letters. Only I, X and C can be placed before a larger letter, so 99 is XCIX, not IC.
- Looking for zero or numbers above 3,999. Standard Roman numerals have no zero and stop at MMMCMXCIX.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write the current year in Roman numerals?
Type the year into the number box. For 2026 it is MMXXVI, which is M + M (2000) + X + X (20) + V (5) + I (1).
Why is 4 written IV and not IIII?
The standard rule is that no letter is repeated more than three times, so 4 is “one before five”, IV. Clock makers often use IIII for visual balance, which is a tradition rather than the standard.
What is the biggest Roman numeral?
In the standard system it is MMMCMXCIX, which is 3999. Larger numbers used a bar over a letter to multiply it by 1000, which this tool does not use.
Is there a Roman numeral for zero?
No. The Romans had no symbol for zero, though a word, nulla, was sometimes used in writing.
People also search for this as: number to Roman numerals, Roman numeral converter, Roman numerals chart, year in Roman numerals, Roman numerals to number, MMXXVI.
Sources and further reading
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