Roman numeral | Chart & Facts (2024)

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Top Questions

What are Roman numerals?

Roman numerals are the symbols used in a system of numerical notation based on the ancient Roman system. The symbols are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, standing respectively for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000.

What are Roman numerals used for today?

Examples of the use of Roman numerals today include the denotation of book chapters, the title of each year’s National Football League Super Bowl as well as the titles of Summer and Winter Olympics, and the marking of hours on clock faces.

How do Roman numerals work?

In the Roman numeral system, the symbols I, V, X, L, C, D, and M stand respectively for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 in the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. A symbol placed after another of equal or greater value adds its value. A symbol placed before one of greater value subtracts its value. A bar placed over a number multiplies its value by 1,000.

Where do Roman numerals come from?

As in all such matters, the origin of the Roman numeral system of numerical notation is obscure, although the changes in their forms since the 3rd century BCE are well known. Roman numerals were likely developed as a result of a need for a common method of counting in order to better conduct trade.

Is it still important to learn Roman numerals?

Despite the impracticality of using Roman numerals for mathematical calculations, which led to the widespread use of the Hindu-Arabic numeral system we know today, some people do still argue for the importance of teaching Roman numerals in schools. Proponents believe that Roman numerals have enduring cultural relevance, as seen in their continued use in sporting event titles and book chapters. Learn more.

Roman numeral, any of the symbols used in a system of numerical notation based on the ancient Roman system. The symbols are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, standing respectively for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 in the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. A symbol placed after another of equal or greater value adds its value—e.g., II = 1 + 1 = 2 and LVIII = 50 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 58. Usually only three identical symbols can be used consecutively; to express numbers beginning with a 4 or a 9, a symbol is placed before one of greater value to subtract its value—e.g., IV = −1 + 5 = 4, XC = −10 + 100 = 90, and MCMLXXXIX = 1,000 −100 + 1,000 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 10 −1 +10 = 1,989. The exceptions are 4,000, which is sometimes written as MMMM, and clocks, which usually display 4 as IIII. A bar called a vinculum placed over a number multiplies its value by 1,000.

Below is a table of Arabic numerals and their Roman numeral equivalents.

More From BritannicaIs It Still Important to Learn Roman Numerals?
Arabic and Roman numerals
Arabic Roman
1 I
2 II
3 III
4 IV
5 V
6 VI
7 VII
8 VIII
9 IX
10 X
11 XI
12 XII
13 XIII
14 XIV
15 XV
16 XVI
17 XVII
18 XVIII
19 XIX
20 XX
21 XXI
22 XXII
23 XXIII
24 XXIV
30 XXX
40 XL
50 L
60 LX
70 LXX
80 LXXX
90 XC
100 C
101 CI
102 CII
200 CC
300 CCC
400 CD
500 D
600 DC
700 DCC
800 DCCC
900 CM
1,000 M
1,001 MI
1,002 MII
1,900 MCM
2,000 MM
2,001 MMI
2,002 MMII
2,100 MMC
3,000 MMM
4,000 IV or MMMM
5,000 V

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.

Roman numeral | Chart & Facts (2024)

FAQs

How do you answer Roman numerals? ›

Rules to Write Roman Numerals

The value of the symbol is added to itself, as many times as it is repeated. (Eg. II – 2, XX – 20 and XXX – 30). A symbol can be repeated only for three times, for example XXX = 30, CC = 200, etc. Symbols V, L, and D are never repeated.

What are the 7 Roman numerals? ›

The Roman numeral system uses only seven symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. I represents the number 1, V represents 5, X is 10, L is 50, C is 100, D is 500, and M is 1,000.

What does XXL stand for in Roman numerals? ›

X is equivalent to 10 and L is equivalent to 50. X + X = 20. Since X is of lesser value than L and comes before the greater number, the rule is to subtract: 50 - 20 = 30. XXL = 30.

What is unique about Roman numerals? ›

Roman numerals use different symbols for each power of ten and there is no zero symbol, in contrast with the place value notation of Arabic numerals (in which place-keeping zeros enable the same digit to represent different powers of ten).

What was the main purpose of Roman numerals? ›

Roman numerals are a numeric system which utilizes a series or combination of alpha characters, or letters, which represent numeric values. These characters, when arranged in the correct order, were designed to represent a sophisticated counting system that was used in the Roman Empire for trading and commerce.

What is the rule #1 in Roman numerals? ›

Rule #1: When reading Roman Numerals, the value of the number is added from left to right if the left numeral is greater than the right numeral. Rule #2: If the left numeral is smaller than the right numeral, subtract the value of the left value from the right numeral.

Which Roman numeral is never repeated? ›

While writing a Roman numeral, only the numerals I, X, C and M can be repeated. V, L and D cannot be repeated.

What does 777 mean in Roman Numerals? ›

DCCLXXVII Roman Numerals in numbers is 777.

What does d mean in Roman Numerals? ›

The number 500 in Roman Numerals is directly represented by the letter D. Hence, there is no method to perform addition or subtraction for D Roman Numerals. Thus, the numerical value of D Roman Numerals is 500.

What is z in Roman Numerals? ›

Z, Symbol. the 26th in order or in a series, or, when I is omitted, the 25th. (sometimes l.c.) the medieval Roman numeral for 2000. Cf. Roman numerals.

What is the Roman numeral for 1 million? ›

M in Roman numerals stands for thousand. To write 1 million in Roman numerals, we can use the symbol MM/mm. It means 1000 x 1000, which equals 1,000,000 or 1 million. You would have noticed MM or mm in financial reports and accounts.

What is the Roman numeral for 5000? ›

5000 in Roman numerals is . To represent the number 5000 in Roman numerals we use the symbol V with a vinculum (bar) on it. Hence, the Roman number of 5000 = V̅.

What does v mean in Roman Numerals? ›

here are the commonly used Roman numerals: I = 1. L = 50 M = 1000. V = 5.

What is 3 in Roman numerals? ›

3 in Roman Numerals is III.

How old is Roman numerals? ›

The system dates back about 2,000 years, to the time of ancient Rome. Roman numerals have been mostly replaced by Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3…).

Who invented Roman numerals? ›

The origin of Roman numerals can be traced back to ancient Rome. The Roman numeral system is believed to have evolved around the 7th century BCE from the Etruscan numeral system, which itself had roots in the ancient Greek numeral system.

Do year 3 learn Roman numerals? ›

Children first come across Roman numerals in Year 3 when learning how to tell the time.

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