How to Read Roman Numerals: Learning Guide for Beginners

Roman numerals use combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet to represent different numerical values. In this article, we’ve got quick reference charts to help you learn Roman numerals quickly, plus a breakdown of the rules for writing and reading them. We’ve also provided some example conversions to show you how to quickly go between numbers and numerals. Keep scrolling to learn more!

How do you read Roman numerals?

Add numerals together when there are multiples in a row (III = 1+1+1 = 3).
Add numerals together when a smaller value is placed after a larger one (VII = 5+1+1 = 7).
Subtract a smaller value from a larger one when it’s placed before the larger value (IX = 10-1 = 9).
Place a bar above a numeral to multiply it by 1000 (V̅ = 5000).

Section 1 of 6:

Roman Numerals Reference Charts

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1
Basic Symbols Roman numerals use 7 letters—I, V, X, L, C, D, and M—to represent numerical values. These values are added or subtracted to make a number based on how these symbols are arranged. Here are their values:^{[1]
X
Research source}
- I = 1
- V = 5
- X = 10
- L = 50
- C = 100
- D = 500
- M = 1000
2
Numbers 1-9 The digits in the ones place are made by adding or subtracting the numerals I (1) and V (5). When you see multiples of a numeral in a row, add them together (II = 1+1 = 2). When a smaller value numeral is placed after a numeral, add them together (VI = 5+1 = 6). When a smaller value numeral is placed before a larger value numeral, subtract the smaller value from the larger one (IX = 10 - 1 = 9).^{[2]
X
Research source}
- I = 1
- II = 2
- III = 3
- IV = 4
- V = 5
- VI = 6
- VII = 7
- VIII = 8
- IX = 9
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3
Numbers 10-90 The digits in the tens place are made by adding or subtracting the numerals X (10), L (50), and C (100). These numbers follow the same addition and subtraction rules as the digits in the ones place.^{[3]
X
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- X = 10
- XX = 20
- XXX = 30
- XL = 40
- L = 50
- LX = 60
- LXX = 70
- LXXX = 80
- XC = 90
4
Numbers 100-900 Digits in the hundreds place are made by adding or subtracting the numerals C 9100), D (500), and M (1000), following the same placement rules as the ones and tens place.^{[4]
X
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- C = 100
- CC = 200
- CCC = 300
- CD = 400
- D = 500
- DC = 600
- DCC = 700
- DCCC = 800
- CM = 900

Section 2 of 6:

Basic Rules of Roman Numerals

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1
You can't have more than three of the same symbol in a row. When you place the same symbols together, just add their values. Normally, the maximum number of consecutive same symbols is three. Repeated symbols are always added together.^{[5]
X
Research source} For example:
- II = 2 (1+1 = 2)
- XXX = 30 (10+10+10 = 30)
- Note: The symbols V, L, and D are never repeated.
2
Smaller symbol values placed after large symbol values are added. Similar to the above rule, just add their values together. Remember, the numeral must have the larger symbol value first for this to work. Here's how you do it:^{[6]
X
Research source}
- XI = 11 (10+1 = 11)
- MCL = 1150 (1000+100+50 = 1150)
3
Smaller symbols placed before larger ones are subtracted from the larger. In this case, you subtract the smaller value from the larger value. Here's how you do it:^{[7]
X
Research source} For example:
- IV = 4 (5-1 = 4)
- CM = 900 (1000=100 = 900)
4
A numeral with a bar over the top of it is multiplied by 1000. To write very large numbers, add a bar (called a vinculum) over any numeral to indicate that it’s multiplied by 1000. For example, to write 1 million, you’d place a bar over the numeral M (1000x1000 = 1 million).^{[8]
X
Research source}
- V̅ = 5000
- X̅ = 10,000
- L̅ = 50,000
- C̅ = 100,000
- D̅ = 500,000
- M = 1,000,000
- It’s rare to see the numeral I with a bar since M already represents 1000, but it does come up in large compound numbers (for example: I̅V̅ = 5000-1000 = 4000).
- Note: For some large numbers, you can repeat numerals more than 3 times. For example, 5 million could be represented by MMMMM since there is no larger symbol than M (1,000).^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- Alternative: Rarely, you’ll see a numeral with 2 bars over the top of it. This indicates that the value of the numeral is multiplied by 1 million.^{[10]
  X
  Research source} So, another way to write 5 million could be an M with 2 bars on top.

Section 3 of 6:

Writing Numbers as Roman Numerals

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Example: Write 2987 in Roman numerals. To convert this number into Roman numerals, we’ll find the numerals for each digit place (thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones) and write them in order:^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Thousands: MM (1000+1000 = 2000)
- Hundreds: CM (1000-100 = 900)
- Tens: LXXX (50+10+10+10 = 80)
- Ones: VII (5+1+1 = 7)
- All together, 2987 is written as MMCMLXXXVII

Section 4 of 6:

Reading Roman Numerals

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Example: Write MCMXCIV as a number. To convert a Roman numeral into a number, we’ll examine the pattern of large and small numeral values to determine which numbers go in the thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones places:
- Thousands: M = 1000
- Hundreds: CM = 900 (1000-100 = 900). Since C is a smaller value than M, we know that it must be subtracted from M to form a separate digit (and not added to the previous M).
- Tens: XC = 90 (100-10 = 90)
- Ones: IV = 4 (5-1 = 4)
- All together, MCMXCIV is 1,994.

Section 5 of 6:

Advice for Learning Roman Numerals

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1
Use a mnemonic device to memorize the value order of the symbols. If you have a hard time remembering what goes where, just try this simple one: “My Dear Cat Loves Xtra Vitamins Intensely.” This helps you memorize the order of the numerals from largest to smallest.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Alternatively, to remember them in ascending order, use “I Value Xylophones Like Cows Do Milk.”
If you want to make sure you converted a number correctly, check out some online converters to see if you're on track. Try this conversion tool from RomanNumerals.org—just enter the numerals or numbers you want to convert and click the “Convert” button to check your results!

Section 6 of 6:

What are Roman numerals?

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The earliest known Roman numerals showed up between 900 and 800 BCE and were based on finger counting. For example, the numeral I represents one finger, or the number 1. The numeral V means 5 because it resembles the “V” shape made between your thumb nd index finger. The numeral X is believed to represent two open hands, or two Vs touching at their points.^{[13]
X
Research source}
For one, there is no Roman numeral to represent the number 0. There’s also no easy way to write fractions using Roman numerals either. Both of these disadvantages make it hard to do complex math and hindered the Romans’ ability to create and use a universally understood numerical system for trading.^{[14]
X
Research source}
3
Roman numerals fell out of use in the Middle Ages. Since Rome had ruled many territories in Europe, these areas continued to use Roman numerals long after the Western Empire collapsed in 476 AD. Around 1300 AD, the Hindu-Arabic numerals we use today replaced Roman numerals throughout most of Europe.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Hindu-Arabic numerals made it easier to do complex calculations. In fact, it’s believed that Europe’s use of Roman numerals contributed to its mathematical “Dark Ages” compared to Middle Eastern and Indian cultures, which made great mathematical strides during the Middle Ages.
- Today, Roman numerals are used mostly for aesthetic purposes in places like watches and clocks, building cornerstones, movie credits, the titles of monarchs and popes, and the titles of major events like the Olympics or Super Bowl.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}

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Question

How do I write 1,000,000?

Donagan

Top Answerer

As shown above, use M with a bar (horizontal line) above it. That means 1,000 multiplied by 1,000. Another way is to write M x M.

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How can I learn these in a day?

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1) Memorize the meaning of the letters (e.g. M = 1000, C =100). 2) Learn to group the combinations in different digits (E.g. Thousandth, hundereded, tenth, ones; MMCMLXXVII = MM CM LXXX VII). 3) learn when to add and when to subtract. MMCMLXXVII = (1000+1000)+(1000-100)+(50+10+10+10)+(5+1+1) = 2987

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How do I know what I must add or take away in Roman numerals?

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According to the information above, when a smaller number is to the left of a larger number, you subtract the smaller from the larger. When the smaller number is to the right of the larger number, you add the two. This makes sense, if you think of it in terms the left=less than, and right=more than [like the larger number, plus moving forward (smaller number to right) is in addition to the larger number)]. It is like Arabic numeral system of "10's" (most widely used in the world today), where if you count backwards (similar to left) you are taking away or subtracting, and if you count forward (like to the right), you are increasing in value or adding.

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