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Roman Numeral Converter Examples
The Roman Numeral Converter converts between Arabic numerals and Roman numerals. Below are examples covering common conversions, subtractive notation, and modern use cases.
Roman Numeral Symbols
The seven basic symbols and their values:
Symbol Value
I 1
V 5
X 10
L 50
C 100
D 500
M 1,000
Basic Conversions
Common numbers and their Roman numeral equivalents:
Arabic Roman
1 I
2 II
3 III
4 IV
5 V
6 VI
7 VII
8 VIII
9 IX
10 X
20 XX
30 XXX
40 XL
50 L
90 XC
100 C
400 CD
500 D
900 CM
1000 M
Subtractive Notation Rules
The six subtractive combinations used in standard Roman numerals:
IV = 4 (I before V: 5 - 1)
IX = 9 (I before X: 10 - 1)
XL = 40 (X before L: 50 - 10)
XC = 90 (X before C: 100 - 10)
CD = 400 (C before D: 500 - 100)
CM = 900 (C before M: 1000 - 100)
Rules:
Only I, X, and C can be used in subtractive position
I can only subtract from V and X
X can only subtract from L and C
C can only subtract from D and M
Step-by-Step Conversion — 2026
How the converter breaks down a number:
Convert 2026 to Roman numerals:
Step 1: 2026 ÷ 1000 = 2 remainder 26 → MM
Step 2: 26 ÷ 10 = 2 remainder 6 → XX
Step 3: 6 = 5 + 1 → VI
Result: MMXXVI
Verification: MM(2000) + XX(20) + VI(6) = 2026 ✓
Step-by-Step Conversion — 1994
Convert 1994 to Roman numerals:
1000 → M
900 → CM
90 → XC
4 → IV
Result: MCMXCIV
Verification: M(1000) + CM(900) + XC(90) + IV(4) = 1994 ✓
Year Conversions
Common years expressed in Roman numerals:
Year Roman Numeral
1776 MDCCLXXVI
1900 MCM
1999 MCMXCIX
2000 MM
2001 MMI
2020 MMXX
2024 MMXXIV
2025 MMXXV
2026 MMXXVI
3999 MMMCMXCIX (maximum standard value)
Modern Use Cases
Where Roman numerals appear today:
Movie sequels:
Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V
Star Wars Episode IV, V, VI
Super Bowl numbering:
Super Bowl LV (55), LVI (56), LVII (57), LVIII (58)
Clock faces:
I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII
Book chapters and appendices:
Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III
Appendix A, Appendix B
Copyright years:
© MMXXVI (2026)
Monarchs and popes:
King Charles III
Pope John Paul II
Queen Elizabeth II
Roman to Arabic Conversion
Convert Roman numerals back to Arabic:
MCMXCIX → 1999
M = 1000
CM = 900 (C before M)
XC = 90 (X before C)
IX = 9 (I before X)
Total: 1000 + 900 + 90 + 9 = 1999
MMXXIV → 2024
MM = 2000
XX = 20
IV = 4
Total: 2000 + 20 + 4 = 2024
Validation — Invalid Roman Numerals
Common mistakes the converter catches:
Invalid: IIII → should be IV (4)
Invalid: VIIII → should be IX (9)
Invalid: XXXX → should be XL (40)
Invalid: VV → V cannot be repeated (use X)
Invalid: LL → L cannot be repeated (use C)
Invalid: DD → D cannot be repeated (use M)
Invalid: IC → I can only subtract from V and X
Invalid: VX → V cannot be used in subtractive position
Valid repetition (up to 3 times):
III = 3 ✓
XXX = 30 ✓
CCC = 300 ✓
MMM = 3000 ✓
Lowercase Roman Numerals
Used for front matter page numbering in books:
i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, vii, viii, ix, x
Example book structure:
Pages i-xii: Preface, table of contents (lowercase)
Pages 1-350: Main content (Arabic numerals)
Pages A1-A20: Appendix
Tattoo and Design Use Cases
Common dates converted for artistic use:
Birth date: March 17, 1992
Day: XVII (17)
Month: III (3)
Year: MCMXCII (1992)
Full: XVII · III · MCMXCII
Anniversary: June 5, 2018
V · VI · MMXVIII
Significant number: 42
XLII
- Convert any Arabic number 1–3,999 to Roman numerals
- Convert Roman numerals back to Arabic numbers
- Step-by-step breakdown shows how each component is derived
- Validates input and catches common mistakes
- Handles lowercase Roman numerals for book page numbering
- Supports all six subtractive notation combinations
- Useful for years, movie sequels, Super Bowl numbers, and more