In short: Roman numerals write numbers with the letters I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500) and M (1000), using subtraction for 4s and 9s: 2026 is MMXXVI and 1994 is MCMXCIV.
About Roman Numeral Converter
Roman numerals still appear on clock faces, book chapters, film copyright dates, Super Bowl numbers, monarchs’ names and tattoos. The system adds the values of letters from largest to smallest, except that a smaller letter placed before a larger one is subtracted — but only in six standard pairs: IV (4), IX (9), XL (40), XC (90), CD (400) and CM (900).
The converter accepts upper or lower case and checks that a numeral is in standard form: IIII, VX or IC are flagged as non-standard, with the correct form suggested. Standard Roman numerals cover 1 to 3,999.
How to use Roman Numeral Converter
- Type a number from 1 to 3999, or a Roman numeral.
- Read the conversion and the breakdown of each part.
- For dates, pick a date and format to get it in Roman numerals.
Examples
2026 = MMXXVI (M + M + X + X + V + I).
1994 = MCMXCIV = M (1000) + CM (900) + XC (90) + IV (4).
Frequently asked questions
Why is 4 written IV and not IIII?
Standard modern usage uses subtraction for 4 and 9. IIII does appear on many clock faces for visual balance, and is accepted as a historical variant, but IV is standard.
What is the largest Roman numeral?
3,999 (MMMCMXCIX) in standard form. Larger numbers historically used a bar over letters to multiply by 1,000, which is not standardized.
Is there a Roman numeral for zero?
No. The Romans had no numeral for zero.
How do I write a date for a tattoo?
Convert each part separately and separate them with dots: 07.04.1776 → VII.IV.MDCCLXXVI. Double-check the result before committing ink!
Updated November 2026 · Free, no signup · How we build and test tools