Type any whole number from 1 to 3999 and get its Roman numeral instantly, or use the reference chart of symbol values and common conversions below. It is handy for clock faces, book chapters, movie sequels, copyright years, and homework.
How the system works
Roman numerals use seven letters with fixed values:
| Symbol | Value |
|---|---|
| I | 1 |
| V | 5 |
| X | 10 |
| L | 50 |
| C | 100 |
| D | 500 |
| M | 1000 |
Numbers are built by combining these symbols in descending order. When a smaller symbol appears immediately before a larger one, it is subtracted rather than added — for example IV means 5 − 1 = 4. There are exactly six valid subtractive pairs: IV, IX, XL, XC, CD, and CM. No symbol may be repeated more than three times in a row.
The converter works greedily from the largest value down, subtracting each value from the number as many times as it fits and appending its symbol. The standard range without overline notation is 1 to 3999 (I to MMMCMXCIX).
Step-by-step example
Convert 1994:
- 1000 → M (remainder 994)
- 900 → CM (remainder 94)
- 90 → XC (remainder 4)
- 4 → IV
- Result: MCMXCIV
Common conversions at a glance
| Number | Roman | Number | Roman |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | 50 | L |
| 4 | IV | 90 | XC |
| 5 | V | 100 | C |
| 9 | IX | 400 | CD |
| 10 | X | 500 | D |
| 14 | XIV | 900 | CM |
| 40 | XL | 1000 | M |
| 400 | CD | 2026 | MMXXVI |
| 1776 | MDCCLXXVI | 1999 | MCMXCIX |
Where Roman numerals are still used
- Copyright years on films, broadcasts and books: MCMXCIV on a film means 1994.
- Clock and watch faces: Roman numerals are the traditional choice; note that many clock makers use IIII rather than IV for the 4 o’clock position.
- Super Bowl editions: numbered sequentially in Roman numerals since the first championship.
- Monarchs and popes: Henry VIII, Pope John Paul II — ordinal numerals after a name.
- Book front matter: pages before the main text are often numbered i, ii, iii in lowercase Roman numerals.
- Appendix labels: legal and academic documents number appendices with Roman numerals (Appendix I, II, III).
- Sporting events: the Olympic Games and many championship tournaments use Roman numerals for their edition number.
- Music albums and sequels: bands and film studios number sequels (Rocky II, Star Wars Episode IV) and album releases with Roman numerals for a classical look.
The IIII clock-face exception
Many traditional clock and watch faces use IIII for the 4 o’clock position rather than the standard IV. This is a centuries-old clockmaking convention, not an error. Several explanations are given: visual balance (IIII mirrors VIII on the opposite side), casting symmetry in early clock-making, and a preference attributed to French royalty. The convention is so established that even clocks commissioned today by traditional manufacturers often follow it. This is the one widely accepted deviation from standard Roman numeral rules.
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