Roman Numerals Converter

What is Roman Numerals?

Roman numerals began in ancient Rome over 2,000 years ago. They used letters from the Latin alphabet to show numbers. The main symbols are I for 1, V for 5, X for 10, L for 50, C for 100, D for 500, and M for 1,000. People used them in trade, stone carvings, and early clocks. The system is simple for small numbers but less practical for big calculations.

Numbers beyond 4,000 were written using a bar placed above a numeral to mean it was multiplied by 1,000. For example, a bar over V means 5,000, and a bar over X means 10,000. This method allowed the Romans to write very large numbers clearly. Today, Roman numerals are still used in clocks, book chapters, and movie titles as a link to history and tradition.

How to Convert Numbers to Roman Numerals

To convert Roman numerals, start by learning the main symbols and their values. I is 1, V is 5, X is 10, L is 50, C is 100, D is 500, and M is 1,000. Read the numeral from left to right. When a smaller number appears before a larger one, subtract it. When it appears after, add it. This rule helps you find the correct value every time.

For example, IX equals 9 because 10 minus 1 equals 9. XI equals 11 because 10 plus 1 equals 11. XL equals 40 since 50 minus 10 equals 40. LX equals 60 since 50 plus 10 equals 60. MCM equals 1,900 because 1,000 plus 900 equals 1,900. Practice reading and writing these examples to build confidence with Roman numerals.

How to Remember Roman Numerals with Mnemonics.

A good way to remember Roman numerals is to use a short, catchy phrase. One popular example is “I Value Xylophones Like Cows Do Milk.” Each word stands for a numeral in order: I for 1, V for 5, X for 10, L for 50, C for 100, D for 500, and M for 1,000. Saying this phrase out loud helps fix the order in your memory. You can also make your own version using words that are easy for you to recall. Repeating and writing them often makes learning faster and more fun.