Home › Roman Numeral Converter
Converts 1 to 3999 both ways, with strict validation of the Roman input.
Roman Numeral Converter
Type a number to get its Roman numeral, or type a Roman numeral to read it. The converter shows how each symbol adds up and also formats a full date, which is handy for tattoos, wedding engravings and cornerstones.
-In Roman numerals
-As a number
-Day.Month.Year
-Month.Day.Year
The seven Roman symbols
The rules
- Add symbols from largest to smallest: VIII = 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8.
- Subtract when a smaller symbol sits before a larger one, using only six pairs: IV (4), IX (9), XL (40), XC (90), CD (400), CM (900).
- Repeat I, X, C and M at most three times in a row. V, L and D never repeat.
Worked example
1994 = 1000 + 900 + 90 + 4 = M + CM + XC + IV = MCMXCIV. Reading it back, split the numeral into those chunks and add them.
2026 = 2000 + 20 + 6 = MM + XX + VI = MMXXVI.
Why 3999 is the limit
Standard Roman numerals have no symbol above M (1000), and M may only repeat three times, so MMMCMXCIX (3999) is the largest number they can write. Larger values historically used a bar over a numeral (vinculum) to multiply it by 1000, but that notation was never standardized. There is also no Roman symbol for zero.
Dates in Roman numerals
For a date, each part is converted separately and joined with dots: 9 October 2026 becomes IX.X.MMXXVI in day-month-year order, or X.IX.MMXXVI in the US month-day-year order. Double-check the order before you commit it to ink.
Planning estimate only. Results use the list prices shown and may differ from your actual bill. Terms
Frequently asked questions
What is 2026 in Roman numerals?
MMXXVI: MM (2000) + XX (20) + VI (6).
Why is 4 written IV and not IIII?
Standard Roman numerals use subtraction for 4 and 9 at each level: IV, IX, XL, XC, CD, CM. IIII does appear on some clock faces by tradition, but IV is the standard form.
What is the largest Roman numeral?
With standard symbols it is MMMCMXCIX, which is 3999. Bigger numbers needed extra notation, such as a bar over a numeral to multiply it by 1000.
Is there a Roman numeral for zero?
No. The Roman system had no symbol for zero. Medieval scholars sometimes wrote N (for nulla) in tables, but it was never part of the numeral system.
How do I write a date in Roman numerals for a tattoo?
Convert the day, month and year separately and separate them with dots, in the order you normally use. 9 October 2026 is IX.X.MMXXVI (day first) or X.IX.MMXXVI (month first).