What are the 7 basic Roman numeral symbols?

I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500, M=1000. These seven symbols are combined and sometimes subtracted to form any number from 1 to 3,999.

What are the subtractive pairs?

IV=4, IX=9, XL=40, XC=90, CD=400, CM=900. These six pairs use a smaller value before a larger to indicate subtraction. Only these specific pairs are valid. For example, IC (1 before 100) is not standard.

How do you write years in Roman numerals?

Write each place value separately, largest first: 1776 is M + DCC + LXX + VI = MDCCLXXVI, and 1999 is M + CM + XC + IX = MCMXCIX.

Why does the chart list 13 values instead of 7?

The converter builds numerals from 13 values: the 7 letters plus the 6 subtractive pairs. Treating CM, CD, XC, XL, IX and IV as single symbols lets it write any number from 1 to 3,999 by taking the largest value that fits at each step.

Roman numeral chart and converter

A Roman numeral reference chart of the 7 symbols and 6 subtractive pairs, plus an interactive converter. Look up individual values (I, V, X, L, C, D, M) and subtractive pairs (IV, IX, XL, XC, CD, CM), then use the converter to translate any number between 1 and 3,999 to or from Roman numerals. All conversion runs locally in your browser.

Enter a number (1–3,999)

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

How it works

The chart lists the same 13 values the converter uses: the 7 letters and the 6 subtractive pairs. Any number from 1 to 3,999 is a run of these values from largest to smallest, and no letter repeats more than three times in a row. All processing runs in JavaScript in your browser.

Processing runs in your browser

All conversions happen locally in your browser tab. Our servers are not involved at any point.

Related operations

For working with fractions (enter mixed numbers in improper form, such as 7/4), try the fraction calculator. To convert numbers between binary, hex, and decimal, use the number base converter. For unit conversions like inches to centimetres, see the unit converter.

Frequently asked questions

What are the 7 basic Roman numeral symbols?: I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500, M=1000. These seven symbols are combined and sometimes subtracted to form any number from 1 to 3,999.
What are the subtractive pairs?: IV=4, IX=9, XL=40, XC=90, CD=400, CM=900. These six pairs use a smaller value before a larger to indicate subtraction. Only these specific pairs are valid. For example, IC (1 before 100) is not standard.
How do you write years in Roman numerals?: Write each place value separately, largest first: 1776 is M + DCC + LXX + VI = MDCCLXXVI, and 1999 is M + CM + XC + IX = MCMXCIX.
Why does the chart list 13 values instead of 7?: The converter builds numerals from 13 values: the 7 letters plus the 6 subtractive pairs. Treating CM, CD, XC, XL, IX and IV as single symbols lets it write any number from 1 to 3,999 by taking the largest value that fits at each step.

Last reviewed September 30, 2026

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