Roman Numeral Converter
Type a number to get its Roman numeral, or paste a numeral to decode it — for dates, tattoos, Super Bowls, movie credits, and clock faces. Handles 1 through 3,999 in strict standard form.
2,026 in Roman numerals
MMXXVI
Detects the direction automatically — type digits to get a numeral, or letters to decode one. Uses standard (strict) form: 4 is IV, not IIII, and each symbol repeats at most three times in a row.
How Roman Numerals Work
Seven symbols add up left to right, except when a smaller value sits before a larger one — then it subtracts. Only three subtractive pairs are standard: IV/IX (4, 9), XL/XC (40, 90), and CD/CM (400, 900). That's why 1999 is MCMXCIX rather than the tempting shortcut IMM, and why 4 on watch dials (IIII) is a stylistic exception, not standard form.
Symbol table
I = 1 X = 10 C = 100 M = 1000 V = 5 L = 50 D = 500 Subtractive pairs: IV=4 IX=9 XL=40 XC=90 CD=400 CM=900 2026 = MMXXVI 1999 = MCMXCIX 1776 = MDCCLXXVI 88 = LXXXVIII 444 = CDXLIV 3999 = MMMCMXCIX
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 2026 in Roman numerals?
MMXXVI — two thousands (MM), two tens (XX), five (V), one (I). Nearby years: 2024 is MMXXIV, 2025 is MMXXV, and 2030 is MMXXX. Year conversions like these are the most common use, from movie copyright dates to tattoo designs.
Why do clock faces use IIII instead of IV?
Watchmaking tradition rather than correct form. The usual explanations: IIII balances the VIII opposite it on the dial, it avoided pairing I and V (the start of the Roman god IVPPITER's name), and it let foundries cast fewer distinct molds. Big Ben, notably, uses the standard IV.
How do you write 4,000 or larger in Roman numerals?
Standard form stops at 3,999 (MMMCMXCIX). Larger numbers historically used a vinculum — a bar over a numeral multiplying it by 1,000, so V̄ is 5,000 and X̄ is 10,000. Since the bar doesn't type easily, modern usage just avoids Roman numerals at that scale.
Why is 1999 written MCMXCIX and not IMM?
Subtraction is only allowed in six specific pairs — IV, IX, XL, XC, CD, CM — where the smaller symbol is at most one-tenth of the larger. So 1999 must be built in pieces: M (1000) + CM (900) + XC (90) + IX (9). Shortcuts like IMM or MIM were never valid Roman practice.