Roman Numeral Converter

// Convert a number or read a Roman numeral

Enter 2026 to get MMXXVI, or enter MMXXVI to get 2,026. The converter detects the direction and updates as you type. Lowercase letters and comma-grouped whole numbers work too. Open How it’s written to see the standard numeral and the value of each letter or subtractive pair.

The seven letters are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Their values are 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000. In the modern notation used here, IV means 5 minus 1, or 4. IX, XL, XC, CD, and CM are the other subtractive pairs. IC is not a valid way to write 99; use XCIX.

// Write a birthday, wedding date, or year

Choose Date, enter a calendar day, month, and year, then choose the output order and separator. The fourth of July 1776 becomes IV·VII·MDCCLXXVI in day-first order or VII·IV·MDCCLXXVI in month-first order. Year only produces MDCCLXXVI.

Date order and separators are modern presentation choices. This tool converts the components of a Gregorian calendar date; it does not reconstruct an ancient Roman calendar date. Check the selected order before using a date in an engraving or tattoo.

// Overlines, limits, and non-standard forms

Without overlines, this converter uses modern subtractive notation from 1 to 3,999. From 4,000 to 3,999,999, it places an overline above the thousands portion. An overline multiplies the covered numeral by 1,000: IV with an overline means 4,000. Type _I_V to enter that value, or paste letters with combining overlines.

The page draws overlines directly for readability. Copy uses Unicode combining overlines, whose appearance depends on the destination font and app. Date years are limited to 1 through 9999. Zero, negative numbers, and fractions are outside this converter’s notation.

Some additive forms, including IIII, VIIII, and MDCCCCVI, are accepted with a warning and a standard equivalent. The parser accepts a bounded set of such forms, not every historical variation. Repeated V, L, or D and invalid subtraction pairs are rejected with an explanation.

// fair questions

How do I write 2026 in Roman numerals?

2026 is MMXXVI: two M letters give 2,000, two X letters give 20, V gives 5, and I gives 1.

Is 4 written IV or IIII?

IV is the modern subtractive form used for output here. IIII is an additive form also found on clock faces. This converter accepts IIII, reports 4, and shows IV in the breakdown.

Can I convert numbers larger than 3,999?

Yes, up to 3,999,999 using an overline on the thousands portion. Type 4000 or _I_V to try it. A copied overline may render differently in other apps.

How do I write my birthday in Roman numerals?

Use Date mode and enter the day, month, and year. Choose day-first or month-first order and a separator. Each calendar component is converted separately.

Why does the converter reject my numeral?

It checks symbol order, repetitions, and subtraction pairs. I can precede V or X, X can precede L or C, and C can precede D or M. V, L, and D cannot repeat. Zero, negatives, and fractions are not supported.