How do I convert a number to a Roman numeral?

Take the largest Roman symbol that fits, subtract its value, and repeat. For 2024 that is M (1000), M (1000), X (10), X (10), IV (4) = MMXXIV.

How do I read a Roman numeral as a number?

Add the symbols from left to right, but subtract a smaller symbol that sits before a larger one. MCMXCIV is 1000 + (1000 − 100) + (100 − 10) + (5 − 1) = 1994.

Why is there no Roman numeral for zero?

The Roman system was built for counting and had no symbol for nothing. It also has no way to write negative numbers, so this converter only accepts 1 and above.

What is the largest number it can convert?

3999, written MMMCMXCIX. The standard system has no symbol above M repeated three times, so larger numbers are out of range.

Is IIII ever correct for 4?

IIII appears on some clock faces by tradition, but the standard mathematical form is IV. This converter always returns the canonical form.

Can I share a conversion?

Yes. Use Share to copy a link that reopens the converter with the same direction and value.

Roman numerals converter

Pick a direction, type a value, and the converter shows the result with a symbol-by-symbol breakdown as you type.

Use it to turn a number like 2024 into MMXXIV, or read a Roman numeral like MCMXCIV back as 1994.

Convert

Number (1–3999)

Roman numeral

MMXXIV

Number: 2024

The result updates as you type. The breakdown shows how each Roman symbol or subtractive pair adds up to the number.

How does it work?

Symbols are added left to right, except for the six subtractive pairs (IV, IX, XL, XC, CD, CM). Standard numerals cover 1 to 3999.

Roman numeral symbols

I=1,\; V=5,\; X=10,\; L=50,\; C=100,\; D=500,\; M=1000

I: 1
V: 5
X: 10
L: 50
C: 100
D: 500
M: 1000

1994 = M + CM + XC + IV = 1000 + 900 + 90 + 4 = MCMXCIV.

Expert tips

Only whole numbers from 1 to 3999 are supported. There is no Roman numeral for zero or negative numbers, and the standard system has no symbol above M repeated three times (3999 = MMMCMXCIX).
Non-standard forms such as IIII on clock faces are not produced; the converter always returns the canonical numeral.

Method & sources

Inputs are treated as plain integers or Roman numeral text, with no units or currency. Conversions use standard subtractive notation, so each number has one canonical Roman form (for example 4 is IV, not IIII).

Sources

Where this method comes from — use these references to understand the formula, assumptions, and limits.

Roman numerals — Unicode standard — Wikipedia, verified 2026-06-10

How we calculate

Inputs are treated as plain integers or Roman numeral text, with no units or currency.
Conversions use standard subtractive notation, so each number has one canonical Roman form (for example 4 is IV, not IIII).

Limitations

Only whole numbers from 1 to 3999 are supported. There is no Roman numeral for zero or negative numbers, and the standard system has no symbol above M repeated three times (3999 = MMMCMXCIX).
Non-standard forms such as IIII on clock faces are not produced; the converter always returns the canonical numeral.

What this converter does

Roman numerals build numbers from seven symbols — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M — added together from left to right, with six subtractive pairs (IV, IX, XL, XC, CD, CM) for the values just below a five or a ten. This converter goes both ways: it turns a whole number into its canonical Roman form, and it reads a Roman numeral back into a plain number.

How to use it

Choose the direction: number to Roman numeral, or Roman numeral to number.
Type the value — a whole number from 1 to 3999, or a Roman numeral.
Read the converted value and the breakdown below.

The seven symbols

I = 1
V = 5
X = 10
L = 50
C = 100
D = 500
M = 1000

A worked example

Take 1994. The largest symbol that fits is M (1000), leaving 994. CM is 900, leaving 94. XC is 90, leaving 4. IV is 4, leaving 0. So 1994 = M + CM + XC + IV = MCMXCIV. Reading it back, you add 1000 + 900 + 90 + 4 = 1994.

Common mistakes

Writing four of the same symbol in a row, such as IIII for 4. The standard form is IV.
Expecting a numeral for zero or a negative number. Roman numerals only cover 1 and above.
Going past 3999. The standard system stops there because M can repeat at most three times.

When it's useful

Reading clock faces, book chapters, film copyright years, monarch and pope names, and Super Bowl numbers — anywhere Roman numerals show up and you want the plain number, or the other way around.

FAQ

How do I convert a number to a Roman numeral?: Take the largest Roman symbol that fits, subtract its value, and repeat. For 2024 that is M (1000), M (1000), X (10), X (10), IV (4) = MMXXIV.
How do I read a Roman numeral as a number?: Add the symbols from left to right, but subtract a smaller symbol that sits before a larger one. MCMXCIV is 1000 + (1000 − 100) + (100 − 10) + (5 − 1) = 1994.
Why is there no Roman numeral for zero?: The Roman system was built for counting and had no symbol for nothing. It also has no way to write negative numbers, so this converter only accepts 1 and above.
What is the largest number it can convert?: 3999, written MMMCMXCIX. The standard system has no symbol above M repeated three times, so larger numbers are out of range.
Is IIII ever correct for 4?: IIII appears on some clock faces by tradition, but the standard mathematical form is IV. This converter always returns the canonical form.
Can I share a conversion?: Yes. Use Share to copy a link that reopens the converter with the same direction and value.

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