Roman Numeral Converter

Numbers to Roman numerals and Roman numerals back to numbers.

MMXXVI2026 in Roman numerals
Spaced out
M M X X V I
Number of characters
6

2026 = MMXXVI

About the Roman Numeral Converter

Roman numerals still appear on clock faces, book chapters, film credits, monuments, Super Bowl numbering and tattoos of birth years. The system uses seven letters, and a smaller letter placed before a larger one is subtracted: IV is four, IX is nine, XL is forty and CM is nine hundred. This converter follows the standard subtractive rules in both directions and rejects malformed input such as IIII or VX.

The classical system stops at 3999, because there is no plain letter for five thousand. Larger numbers were written with a bar above a letter to multiply it by a thousand, a notation that does not survive well in plain text, so this tool covers 1 to 3999. To write a date, convert each part separately: 25 December 2026 is XXV, XII, MMXXVI.

How to use the Roman Numeral Converter

  1. Choose whether you are converting a number to Roman numerals or reading a numeral back.
  2. Type the number (1 to 3999) or the numeral (letters I, V, X, L, C, D and M).
  3. Read the converted value; the spaced-out version is handy for copying into a design or a tattoo.

Frequently asked questions

How do Roman numerals work?

Letters are added from left to right: XVII is 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 17. When a smaller letter comes before a bigger one it is subtracted instead, so XIV is 10 + (5 - 1) = 14.

Why is four written IV and not IIII?

The subtractive rule keeps numerals short and is the modern standard. IIII does survive on many clock faces for visual balance with VIII on the opposite side, but it is not standard notation.

What is the largest Roman numeral?

In standard notation, MMMCMXCIX is 3999. Beyond that the Romans drew a bar over a letter to multiply it by 1,000, so a barred V meant five thousand.

How do I write my birth year as a Roman numeral?

Enter the year in the first mode. For example 1994 becomes MCMXCIV: M for 1000, CM for 900, XC for 90 and IV for 4.