Number to Roman Numerals Converter
Convert any number between 1 and 3,999,999 to Roman numerals. Learn about the history, rules, and usage of this ancient numeral system.
Roman Numeral Converter
About Roman Numerals
History of Roman Numerals
Roman numerals originated in ancient Rome between 900 and 800 BC. This numeral system was used throughout the Roman Empire and remained the common way of writing numbers in Europe until the Late Middle Ages.
Basic Roman Numerals
The Roman numeral system uses seven letters to represent numbers:
| Roman Numeral | Value |
|---|---|
| I | 1 |
| V | 5 |
| X | 10 |
| L | 50 |
| C | 100 |
| D | 500 |
| M | 1000 |
Rules for Writing Roman Numerals
1. When a smaller numeral is to the left of a larger numeral, you subtract the smaller value (e.g., IV = 4).
2. When a smaller numeral is to the right of a larger numeral, you add the smaller value (e.g., VI = 6).
3. Numerals I, X, C, and M can be repeated up to three times in succession.
4. Numerals V, L, and D cannot be repeated.
Modern Uses of Roman Numerals
Today, Roman numerals are still used for: book chapters, clock faces, movie production years, monument inscriptions, and naming monarchs and popes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The basic Roman numerals are: I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000).
The Roman numeral system was developed for trading and commerce, not for mathematical calculations. They used the Latin word ‘nulla’ meaning nothing to represent zero in contexts where it was needed.
The standard Roman numeral system can represent numbers up to 3,999 (MMMCMXCIX). For larger numbers, various conventions exist including using a vinculum (bar above numerals) to indicate multiplication by 1,000.
4 is written as IV (one less than 5), and 9 is written as IX (one less than 10). This subtractive principle is a key feature of the Roman numeral system.
Roman numerals are still used in clock faces, book chapters and volumes, movie production years, monument inscriptions, and for naming monarchs and popes.
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