Roman Numeral Converter
Convert numbers and dates to Roman numerals, and check a date before it goes on anything permanent.
Date to Roman numerals
Check a Roman numeral date
How It Works
Type a number to see its Roman numeral equivalent, or type a Roman numeral to convert it to a number. Both directions update instantly and support values from 1 to 3,999. Roman numerals are written from largest symbol to smallest, using subtractive notation for 4s and 9s.
For a date, pick it in Date to Roman numerals and choose the order, separator and year style. To check a date someone else wrote, or one you're about to have engraved or tattooed, type it into Check a Roman numeral date. It reads the date back in both US and UK order and flags anything non-standard. The guide to Roman numeral date tattoos covers the mistakes to look for.
Roman Numeral Chart
| Symbol | Value | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | III = 3 |
| IV | 4 | subtractive |
| V | 5 | VIII = 8 |
| IX | 9 | subtractive |
| X | 10 | XXVII = 27 |
| XL | 40 | subtractive |
| L | 50 | LXX = 70 |
| XC | 90 | subtractive |
| C | 100 | CCL = 250 |
| CD | 400 | subtractive |
| D | 500 | DCCC = 800 |
| CM | 900 | subtractive |
| M | 1000 | MMXXIV = 2024 |
Worked Examples
2024 = MM (2000) + XX (20) + IV (4) = MMXXIV.
49 = XL (40) + IX (9) = XLIX.
1994 = M (1000) + CM (900) + XC (90) + IV (4) = MCMXCIV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert a number to Roman numerals?
Type the number into the Number field above and the Roman numeral appears instantly. Roman numerals are built by adding symbols from largest to smallest: 2024 becomes MMXXIV (M + M + X + X + IV). This tool supports numbers from 1 to 3999.
How do I convert Roman numerals to a number?
Type the Roman numeral into the Roman numeral field and the number appears instantly. The converter reads the symbols left to right, subtracting when a smaller symbol precedes a larger one — for example IX is 9 and XL is 40.
What are the seven Roman numeral symbols?
There are seven: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, and M = 1000. All Roman numerals are combinations of these, using subtractive notation for values like 4 (IV) and 9 (IX).
Why is 4 written as IV and not IIII?
Roman numerals use subtractive notation to avoid repeating a symbol four times. Placing a smaller symbol before a larger one subtracts it: IV = 5 − 1 = 4, IX = 10 − 1 = 9, XL = 50 − 10 = 40, CM = 1000 − 100 = 900.
Why can't I convert numbers above 3999?
Standard Roman numerals only go up to 3999 (MMMCMXCIX). Larger numbers require a vinculum — an overline that multiplies a numeral by 1000 — which is not part of the basic notation, so this converter is limited to 1–3999.
How do I write a date in Roman numerals?
Convert the day, month and year separately and join them with dots or another separator. September 14, 1994 is IX.XIV.MCMXCIV in US order (month first) or XIV.IX.MCMXCIV in UK and European order (day first). Use the Date to Roman numerals section above to do it for any date.
How do I write the year 2000 or 2005 in a short date?
Use the full year. Roman numerals have no zero, so the two-digit year 00 cannot be written at all, and 05 is just V, which is easy to misread. 2000 is MM and 2005 is MMV.
How can I check a Roman numeral date before a tattoo?
Type it into Check a Roman numeral date exactly as it will be written. The checker reads it back in both US and UK order, tells you if either reading is not a real date, and flags any numeral that is not written the standard way, such as IIII or IC.