Roman Numeral Converter
Convert numbers to Roman numerals and back, turn any date into Roman numerals for tattoos, and read the full chart from 1 to 1000.
What is a Roman numeral converter?
A Roman numeral converter turns ordinary numbers into Roman numerals and Roman numerals back into numbers. Roman numerals use seven letters — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M — to represent values. This free converter works in both directions instantly, and also includes a date-to-Roman mode (popular for tattoos) and a complete reference chart.
How to use this converter
- Number → Roman: type a number from 1 to 3999 (e.g. 2026 → MMXXVI).
- Roman → Number: type a Roman numeral (e.g. XLII → 42). Invalid numerals are flagged.
- Date → Roman: enter a day, month, and year to format a date in Roman numerals.
- Press Copy to save any result.
How Roman numerals work
Each letter has a fixed value: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000. You build a number by adding letters from left to right — so VIII is 5 + 3 = 8. When a smaller letter appears before a larger one, you subtract it: IV is 4 (5 − 1) and IX is 9 (10 − 1). A few rules keep numerals valid:
- A symbol is not repeated more than three times in a row (so 4 is IV, not IIII).
- Only I, X, and C are used for subtraction (IV, IX, XL, XC, CD, CM).
- Read left to right, largest values first.
Roman numeral chart
Use this chart to look up common conversions — the letter values, the tricky subtractive numbers, and the ranges from 1 to 1000 plus recent years.
Roman numeral letters and their values
Tricky numbers (subtractive form)
1 to 10
11 to 20
Tens (10–100)
Hundreds (100–1000)
Thousands & years
Roman numerals in dates and tattoos
Roman numerals are a popular way to mark meaningful dates — birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries — especially as tattoos. A common style writes the day, month, and year separated by dots, for example XIV · II · MMXXVI for 14 February 2026. Use the Date → Roman mode above to format any date, then copy it for your tattoo artist or designer. Double-check each part before committing it to ink.
Larger numbers and the vinculum
Standard Roman numerals go up to 3999 (MMMCMXCIX). For larger values, a bar called a vinculum is drawn over a numeral to multiply it by 1000 — so a V with a bar means 5000. This converter covers the standard 1–3999 range, which is all you need for years and everyday use.
Why is there no zero in Roman numerals?
The Roman system is additive and never needed a zero as a placeholder, so no symbol for zero exists. The idea of zero as a number reached European mathematics much later, through the Hindu–Arabic numeral system we use for everyday arithmetic today.
Is anything sent to a server?
No. This Roman numeral converter runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you enter is uploaded or stored, and it works offline.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I convert a number to Roman numerals?
- Type the number (1–3999) into the Number → Roman box and the Roman numeral appears instantly. For example, 2026 becomes MMXXVI. To go the other way, switch to Roman → Number and enter letters like MMXXVI.
- How do Roman numerals work?
- Seven letters have fixed values: I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500, M=1000. You add them left to right (VI = 6). When a smaller value comes before a larger one, you subtract it (IV = 4, IX = 9). No symbol repeats more than three times in a row.
- What is 4 (or 9) in Roman numerals?
- 4 is IV (5 minus 1) and 9 is IX (10 minus 1), because Roman numerals use subtractive notation rather than writing IIII or VIIII. The same pattern gives 40 = XL, 90 = XC, 400 = CD, and 900 = CM.
- How do I write a date in Roman numerals for a tattoo?
- Use the Date → Roman mode. Enter the day, month, and year, and the tool formats them as Roman numerals separated by a dot, e.g. 14 February 2026 becomes XIV · II · MMXXVI. You can copy the result for your tattoo artist or designer.
- What is the largest number in Roman numerals?
- In standard form the largest value is 3999 (MMMCMXCIX). Larger numbers use a bar (vinculum) over a numeral to multiply it by 1000, so V with a bar means 5000. This converter handles the standard range 1–3999.
- Why is there no zero in Roman numerals?
- The Roman system is additive and had no need for a zero placeholder, so no symbol for zero exists. The concept of zero as a number entered European mathematics much later through Arabic numerals.
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