Roman Numerals Chart: Complete List from 1 to 1000 with Rules

Roman numerals have been around for nearly three thousand years. They appear on clock faces, in movie titles, at the Super Bowl, on building cornerstones, and in countless tattoo designs. Despite being replaced by Arabic numerals for everyday arithmetic, Roman numerals remain one of the most recognized number systems in the world.

This guide provides a complete Roman numerals chart from 1 to 1000, explains every rule you need to read and write them correctly, and walks through practical conversion examples. Whether you are looking up a specific number, preparing a tattoo design, or studying for a math class, this page has you covered. For instant conversions, try our free Roman numeral converter.

The 7 Roman Numeral Symbols

The Roman numeral system uses exactly seven symbols. Every number from 1 to 3,999 can be expressed using combinations of these seven characters:

Symbol	Value	Name	Origin
I	1	Unum	One finger
V	5	Quinque	Open hand (V shape)
X	10	Decem	Two crossed hands
L	50	Quinquaginta	Half of C (rotated)
C	100	Centum	First letter of centum (Latin for 100)
D	500	Quingenti	Half of M (halved CIↃ)
M	1,000	Mille	First letter of mille (Latin for 1000)

Notice the pattern: the symbols alternate between "base" values (1, 10, 100, 1000) and "half" values (5, 50, 500). This alternation is what makes Roman numerals work with just seven characters.

5 Essential Rules for Writing Roman Numerals

Understanding these five rules is all you need to read or write any Roman numeral correctly.

Rule 1: Addition Principle

When a symbol of equal or greater value follows another, add their values together.

VI = 5 + 1 = 6
XV = 10 + 5 = 15
LXVI = 50 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 66
MDCL = 1000 + 500 + 100 + 50 = 1650

This is the most common rule and applies to the majority of Roman numerals.

Rule 2: Subtraction Principle

When a smaller symbol appears immediately before a larger symbol, subtract the smaller from the larger. Only six subtractive combinations are valid:

Combination	Value	Meaning
IV	4	5 - 1
IX	9	10 - 1
XL	40	50 - 10
XC	90	100 - 10
CD	400	500 - 100
CM	900	1000 - 100

Important: Combinations like IC (99?), XM (990?), or IL (49?) are not valid. Each subtractive symbol can only be placed before the two symbols directly above it in value.

Rule 3: Repetition Limit of Three

The symbols I, X, C, and M can be repeated up to three times in a row:

III = 3 (valid)
XXX = 30 (valid)
CCC = 300 (valid)
MMM = 3000 (valid)
~~IIII~~ = invalid (use IV = 4)
~~XXXX~~ = invalid (use XL = 40)

Rule 4: V, L, D Never Repeat

The symbols V (5), L (50), and D (500) can never appear more than once:

VV = invalid (use X = 10)
LL = invalid (use C = 100)
DD = invalid (use M = 1000)

This is because two of any of these values equals the next "base" symbol.

Rule 5: Largest to Smallest Order

Roman numerals are written from the largest value on the left to the smallest on the right, except when applying the subtraction principle.

MCMLXXXIV (1984): M(1000) + CM(900) + LXXX(80) + IV(4)
MMXXVI (2026): MM(2000) + XX(20) + VI(6)

Roman Numerals 1–20

Here are the first twenty Roman numerals — the ones you will use and see most frequently:

Number	Roman	Number	Roman	Number	Roman	Number	Roman
1	I	6	VI	11	XI	16	XVI
2	II	7	VII	12	XII	17	XVII
3	III	8	VIII	13	XIII	18	XVIII
4	IV	9	IX	14	XIV	19	XIX
5	V	10	X	15	XV	20	XX

Key observations:

Numbers 1-3 simply repeat I
4 uses subtraction (IV)
5-8 start with V and add I's
9 uses subtraction (IX)
11-20 mirror the pattern of 1-10, just with an X prefix

Roman Numerals 1–100: Complete Chart

Below is the complete list of Roman numerals from 1 to 100. This is the most commonly referenced range.

#	Roman	#	Roman	#	Roman	#	Roman	#	Roman
1	I	21	XXI	41	XLI	61	LXI	81	LXXXI
2	II	22	XXII	42	XLII	62	LXII	82	LXXXII
3	III	23	XXIII	43	XLIII	63	LXIII	83	LXXXIII
4	IV	24	XXIV	44	XLIV	64	LXIV	84	LXXXIV
5	V	25	XXV	45	XLV	65	LXV	85	LXXXV
6	VI	26	XXVI	46	XLVI	66	LXVI	86	LXXXVI
7	VII	27	XXVII	47	XLVII	67	LXVII	87	LXXXVII
8	VIII	28	XXVIII	48	XLVIII	68	LXVIII	88	LXXXVIII
9	IX	29	XXIX	49	XLIX	69	LXIX	89	LXXXIX
10	X	30	XXX	50	L	70	LXX	90	XC
11	XI	31	XXXI	51	LI	71	LXXI	91	XCI
12	XII	32	XXXII	52	LII	72	LXXII	92	XCII
13	XIII	33	XXXIII	53	LIII	73	LXXIII	93	XCIII
14	XIV	34	XXXIV	54	LIV	74	LXXIV	94	XCIV
15	XV	35	XXXV	55	LV	75	LXXV	95	XCV
16	XVI	36	XXXVI	56	LVI	76	LXXVI	96	XCVI
17	XVII	37	XXXVII	57	LVII	77	LXXVII	97	XCVII
18	XVIII	38	XXXVIII	58	LVIII	78	LXXVIII	98	XCVIII
19	XIX	39	XXXIX	59	LIX	79	LXXIX	99	XCIX
20	XX	40	XL	60	LX	80	LXXX	100	C

Patterns to Notice

Every set of ten follows the same internal pattern, just with a different prefix:

1-10: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X
11-20: same pattern with X prefix
21-30: same pattern with XX prefix
31-39: same pattern with XXX prefix
40-49: XL prefix (subtractive)
50-59: L prefix
60-69: LX prefix
70-79: LXX prefix
80-89: LXXX prefix
90-99: XC prefix (subtractive)

Once you know 1-10, you can construct any number from 1-100 by changing the tens prefix.

Roman Numerals 100–1000

For numbers in the hundreds, the same pattern repeats at a larger scale. Here are the key values:

Number	Roman	Number	Roman
100	C	600	DC
110	CX	650	DCL
120	CXX	700	DCC
130	CXXX	750	DCCL
140	CXL	800	DCCC
150	CL	850	DCCCL
160	CLX	900	CM
170	CLXX	910	CMX
180	CLXXX	920	CMXX
190	CXC	930	CMXXX
200	CC	940	CMXL
250	CCL	950	CML
300	CCC	960	CMLX
350	CCCL	970	CMLXX
400	CD	980	CMLXXX
450	CDL	990	CMXC
500	D	1000	M
550	DL

Notable Values

100 = C (centum, the Latin word for hundred)
400 = CD (subtractive: 500 - 100)
500 = D
900 = CM (subtractive: 1000 - 100)
1000 = M (mille, the Latin word for thousand)

How to Convert a Number to Roman Numerals

Step-by-Step Method

Converting any number from 1 to 3,999 to Roman numerals follows a simple greedy algorithm:

Step 1: Write down the 13 reference values in descending order:

M(1000), CM(900), D(500), CD(400), C(100), XC(90), L(50), XL(40), X(10), IX(9), V(5), IV(4), I(1)

Step 2: Find the largest value that does not exceed your number.

Step 3: Write the corresponding symbol and subtract the value from your number.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until the remaining number is zero.

Worked Example: Convert 2749

2749 >= 1000 -> write M, remaining 1749
1749 >= 1000 -> write M, remaining 749
749 >= 500 -> write D, remaining 249
249 >= 100 -> write C, remaining 149
149 >= 100 -> write C, remaining 49
49 >= 40 -> write XL, remaining 9
9 >= 9 -> write IX, remaining 0

Result: MMDCCXLIX

Worked Example: Convert 1994

1994 >= 1000 -> write M, remaining 994
994 >= 900 -> write CM, remaining 94
94 >= 90 -> write XC, remaining 4
4 >= 4 -> write IV, remaining 0

Result: MCMXCIV

How to Convert Roman Numerals to a Number

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Start from the leftmost symbol and assign its numeric value.

Step 2: Compare each symbol with the one after it:

If the current symbol's value is less than the next, subtract the current.
If the current symbol's value is greater than or equal to the next, add the current.

Step 3: Add the last symbol's value.

Step 4: Sum all the values to get the final number.

Worked Example: Convert MCMXLIV

Position	Symbol	Value	Next Symbol	Action	Running Total
1	M	1000	C (100)	Add	1000
2	C	100	M (1000)	Subtract	900
3	M	1000	X (10)	Add	1900
4	X	10	L (50)	Subtract	1890
5	L	50	I (1)	Add	1940
6	I	1	V (5)	Subtract	1939
7	V	5	(end)	Add	1944

Result: MCMXLIV = 1944

How to Write Dates in Roman Numerals

Writing dates in Roman numerals is one of the most popular uses today, especially for tattoos, wedding invitations, and commemorative engravings.

Date Format

The standard format separates month, day, and year with a middle dot or dash:

Month · Day · Year

Examples of Common Dates

Date	Roman Numeral
January 1, 2000	I · I · MM
July 4, 1776	VII · IV · MDCCLXXVI
December 25, 2024	XII · XXV · MMXXIV
March 19, 2026	III · XIX · MMXXVI
February 14, 2025	II · XIV · MMXXV
October 31, 1990	X · XXXI · MCMXC

Tips for Date Tattoos

Double-check your conversion using our Roman numeral date converter before getting inked
Choose a separator — the middle dot (·), dash (-), or slash (/) are all commonly used
Consider the format — some people prefer day first (European style), others month first (American style)
Account for spacing — longer years (like MDCCLXXVI for 1776) need more room
Font matters — serif fonts give a more classical appearance; sans-serif looks more modern

Common Uses of Roman Numerals

Clocks and Watches

Nearly all traditional clock faces use Roman numerals for the hour markers. Interestingly, many clocks use IIII instead of IV for the 4 o'clock position. Several theories explain this: visual balance with the VIII on the opposite side, easier readability at a glance, and the legend that a French king preferred it.

Super Bowl Numbering

The NFL has used Roman numerals for Super Bowls since Super Bowl V (1971). Notable examples:

Super Bowl III = 3 (the Joe Namath guarantee game)
Super Bowl L = 50 (the only time regular numerals were used was Super Bowl 50)
Super Bowl LVIII = 58 (2024)
Super Bowl LIX = 59 (2025)

Movies and Television

Film sequels frequently use Roman numerals to suggest prestige and continuation:

Rocky I through Rocky IV
Star Wars Episode IV through IX
The Godfather Part II and III
Final Fantasy I through XVI

Architecture and Monuments

Dates on buildings, monuments, and institutions are traditionally carved in Roman numerals:

Library cornerstones: MCMXXIII (1923)
War memorials: MCMXLV (1945)
University buildings: MDCCCLXXXVI (1886)

Papal Names

Popes use Roman numerals to distinguish themselves from previous popes with the same name:

Pope John Paul II (the second John Paul)
Pope Benedict XVI (the sixteenth Benedict)
Pope Pius XII (the twelfth Pius)

Brief History of Roman Numerals

Roman numerals originated in ancient Rome, likely evolving from earlier Etruscan number systems. The earliest forms appeared around the 7th century BCE, with tally marks on sticks and bones.

Timeline

~700 BCE: Earliest Roman numeral inscriptions appear
~500 BCE: Subtractive notation (IV instead of IIII) begins to appear, though both forms coexisted for centuries
~100 BCE: The system reaches its standardized form with all seven symbols
~500 CE: Roman numerals spread throughout Europe with Roman influence
~1200 CE: Arabic numerals arrive in Europe via Fibonacci's Liber Abaci (1202)
~1500 CE: Arabic numerals largely replace Roman numerals for mathematics and commerce
Today: Roman numerals persist in decorative, ceremonial, and traditional contexts

Why Roman Numerals Were Replaced

Roman numerals have significant limitations for arithmetic:

No symbol for zero
No positional notation (place value system)
Multiplication and division are extremely cumbersome
Large numbers require many characters

Arabic numerals solved all these problems with just ten digits (0-9) and a positional system, making them far superior for calculation. But Roman numerals' visual distinction and classical heritage keep them alive in modern culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2026 in Roman numerals?

2026 in Roman numerals is MMXXVI. The breakdown: MM (2000) + XX (20) + VI (6) = MMXXVI. You can verify this with our Roman numeral converter.

What is the longest Roman numeral from 1 to 1000?

The longest Roman numeral under 1000 is 888 = DCCCLXXXVIII (12 characters). It uses all three symbols that can repeat (C, X, I) at their maximum of three repetitions, plus D, L, and V.

Can Roman numerals represent numbers larger than 3999?

In the standard system, 3999 (MMMCMXCIX) is the maximum. Historically, the Romans used a vinculum (a bar over a numeral) to multiply by 1000. For example, V with a bar = 5,000 and X with a bar = 10,000. Some modern contexts extend the system with parentheses or other notation.

Why do some clocks show IIII instead of IV?

Several theories exist: (1) visual symmetry with VIII on the opposite side, (2) easier to distinguish from VI at a quick glance, (3) tradition dating back to a preference by a French king, and (4) using IIII allowed clock makers to cast fewer unique molds (a column of I, V, and X characters). The practice is so widespread that both forms are considered acceptable on clock faces.

What is the Roman numeral for zero?

There is no Roman numeral for zero. The concept of zero as a number did not exist in Roman mathematics. The Romans used the word "nulla" (meaning "nothing") when they needed to express the concept of zero. This absence of zero is one of the main reasons Roman numerals were eventually replaced by the Hindu-Arabic numeral system for calculations.

How do I convert a year to Roman numerals?

Break the year into thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. For 2026: 2000 = MM, 20 = XX, 6 = VI, combined = MMXXVI. For years before 1000, start directly with hundreds: 476 = CD (400) + LXX (70) + VI (6) = CDLXXVI. Use our date converter for instant results.

Are Roman numerals used in other languages?

Yes. Roman numerals are universal across languages because they use Latin letters that appear in most Western alphabets. They are used internationally for the same purposes: numbering monarchs and popes, clock faces, movie sequels, formal documents, and architectural dates. The symbols and rules are identical worldwide.

What is the difference between Roman and Arabic numerals?

Roman numerals (I, V, X, L, C, D, M) use a subtractive-additive system with no zero and no place value. Arabic numerals (0-9) use a positional decimal system where each digit's position determines its value. Arabic numerals are far more efficient for arithmetic, while Roman numerals are valued for tradition and visual distinction.