Math Playground
Back to Numbers

Numbers › Roman numerals

Roman numerals

The Romans used letters: I, V, X, L, C, D, M. Stack them up and you get any number from 1 to 3999.

Roman numerals

Type any number from 1 to 3999 and see it in the Roman alphabet.

MMXXVI

I

1

V

5

X

10

L

50

C

100

D

500

M

1000

The two rules

  • Add when smaller letters come after: VI = 5 + 1 = 6.
  • Subtract when a smaller letter comes before: IV = 5 − 1 = 4.

Where you'll still see them

Movie copyright dates, watch faces, Super Bowl numbers, kings and queens. Roman numerals haven't fully retired.