Roman Numeral Converter

What are Roman Numerals?

Roman numerals are a numeral system that originated in ancient Rome and remained the usual way of writing numbers throughout Europe well into the Late Middle Ages. They are based on certain letters of the alphabet which are combined to signify the sum (or difference) of their values.

The Roman numeral system uses seven basic symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, representing the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 respectively. These can be combined to form numbers up to 3,999 in standard notation.

Roman numerals originated, as the name might suggest, in ancient Rome. They were the standard system of numbering used by Romans and throughout the Roman Empire, primarily for counting, measuring, and labeling (such as on buildings, clocks, and rulership titles like 'Elizabeth II').

How to Use This Converter

This Roman numeral converter allows you to easily convert between Roman numerals and decimal numbers. Follow these simple steps:

1. Select the conversion mode - 'Number to Roman Numeral' or 'Roman Numeral to Number'.
2. Enter your value in the input field. For Roman numerals, you can also use the preset buttons to add symbols.
3. Click the 'Convert' button to perform the conversion.
4. View the result, detailed conversion steps, and visual representation below.

For Roman numeral input, use only the standard symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. The converter supports numbers between 1 and 3999.

Roman Numeral Rules and Structure

Roman numerals follow specific rules that determine how symbols are combined and interpreted. Understanding these rules is essential for correctly reading and writing Roman numerals.

Applications of Roman Numerals

Despite being an ancient numeral system, Roman numerals are still widely used today in various contexts. Here are some common modern applications:

Frequently Asked Questions