The seven Roman numerals
| Symbol | I | V | X | L | C | D | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 1 | 5 | 10 | 50 | 100 | 500 | 1000 |
The rules
- Add symbols written from largest to smallest: VIII = 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8; MDC = 1000 + 500 + 100 = 1600.
- Subtract when a smaller symbol comes before a larger one — but only in six cases: IV (4), IX (9), XL (40), XC (90), CD (400) and CM (900).
- A symbol is never repeated more than three times in a row. 4 is IV, not IIII (although IIII appears on many clock faces).
- V, L and D are never repeated or subtracted.
Example: 1994 = M (1000) + CM (900) + XC (90) + IV (4) = MCMXCIV.
Why only up to 3999?
Standard Roman numerals have no symbol above M (1000), so the largest number you can write with the usual rules is MMMCMXCIX = 3999. Romans wrote larger numbers with a bar over a symbol (vinculum) to multiply it by 1,000, but that notation isn’t standardized for typing.
Dates in Roman numerals
Roman numeral dates are popular for tattoos, wedding rings and engravings. Each part is converted separately and joined with dots or slashes. July 4, 1776 becomes VII · IV · MDCCLXXVI. Decide whether you want month-day-year (US) or day-month-year order before getting inked — and double-check the result here.
Where you still see Roman numerals
Clock faces, the Super Bowl (Super Bowl LX was in 2026), movie copyright years, book chapters and prefaces, monarchs and popes (Charles III, Leo XIV), outlines, and the names of events such as World War II.
Frequently asked questions
What is 2026 in Roman numerals?
MMXXVI.
How do you write 4 in Roman numerals?
IV (5 − 1). IIII is sometimes used on clocks but isn’t standard.
Is there a zero in Roman numerals?
No. The Roman system has no symbol for zero.
What is the largest Roman numeral?
With standard symbols, 3999 (MMMCMXCIX).