Converters

Roman Numeral Converter

Convert numbers to Roman numerals, or Roman numerals back to numbers, instantly, right in your browser.

Roman Numeral Converter Tool

Convert Roman Numerals

Enter a whole number from 1 to 3999.

Roman Numeral

Enter a number to convert it to a Roman numeral.

How Roman Numerals Work

Roman numerals are built from seven symbols, each with a fixed value:

The seven Roman numeral symbols.
SymbolValue
I1
V5
X10
L50
C100
D500
M1000

Symbols are normally added together left to right (VI = 5 + 1 = 6), but when a smaller symbol comes right before a larger one, it's subtracted instead. Only six subtractive pairs are standard:

IV = 4 · IX = 9 · XL = 40 · XC = 90 · CD = 400 · CM = 900

Examples

Numbers and their Roman numeral equivalents.
NumberRoman Numeral
1I
4IV
9IX
49XLIX
100C
2026MMXXVI
3999MMMCMXCIX

Why Some Roman Numerals Are Rejected

Not every combination of Roman numeral letters is valid. This converter checks for standard notation, so combinations like these are rejected even though every individual letter is real:

IIII — four I's in a row are never used; 4 is written IV

VV — V is never repeated; 10 is written X

IC — a smaller symbol can only subtract from a value up to 10× larger; 99 is written XCIX

XM — X cannot subtract from M; 990 is written CMXC

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic Roman numeral symbols?

I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, and M = 1000. Larger numbers are built by combining these, either by addition (VI = 5 + 1 = 6) or subtraction (IV = 5 - 1 = 4).

How does subtractive notation work?

When a smaller symbol appears before a larger one, it's subtracted instead of added. The only standard subtractive pairs are IV (4), IX (9), XL (40), XC (90), CD (400), and CM (900) -- a smaller symbol is never placed before anything more than one step larger (there's no such thing as IC for 99; it's written XCIX instead).

Why is my Roman numeral rejected as invalid?

This converter checks for standard notation, not just "are these valid letters." Strings like IIII (should be IV), VV (should be X), IC (should be XCIX), and XM (should be CM VC... actually MCM-style formations) all use letters that exist individually but combine them in a way standard Roman numerals never do, so they're rejected with a clear message rather than silently guessing a number.

What is the valid range for Roman numerals?

This converter supports the standard range of 1 to 3999. Numbers at or above 4000 would traditionally need an overline (vinculum) notation to multiply a symbol by 1,000, which isn't practical in plain text, so this calculator doesn't attempt to invent a non-standard format for it.

Does Roman numeral 0 exist?

No. The Roman numeral system has no symbol for zero, so this converter doesn't accept 0 as an input, either as a number to convert or as an implied value.

Can I type lowercase Roman numerals?

Yes. Lowercase input like "mmxxvi" is automatically converted to uppercase before validation, so it converts the same as "MMXXVI".

Is my data uploaded anywhere?

No. Every conversion happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing you enter here is sent to Brekzy or stored anywhere.

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