Roman Numeral Converter

Explore the Ancient Number System

This converter allows you to translate any standard Arabic numeral (1, 2, 3) into its Roman equivalent (I, II, III) and vice versa. It's a great tool for students, history buffs, or anyone needing to read or write Roman numerals for dates, outlines, or formal documents.

The Roman Numeral System Explained

The system uses combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet to signify values.

• Basic Symbols:
  • I = 1
  • V = 5
  • X = 10
  • L = 50
  • C = 100
  • D = 500
  • M = 1000
• Subtractive Principle: A smaller numeral placed before a larger one is subtracted (e.g., IV = 4, XC = 90).

How to Use the Calculator

This is a real-time, two-way converter.

• To convert a number to Roman: Type a number in the 'Number' field. The 'Roman' field will update automatically.
• To convert a Roman numeral to a number: Type a valid Roman numeral in the 'Roman' field. The 'Number' field will update.

Real-World Example

• Enter the number 1999 into the 'Number' field.
  • The 'Roman' field will update to MCMXCIX.
  • M=1000, CM=900, XC=90, IX=9
• Enter MMXXIV into the 'Roman' field.
  • The 'Number' field will update to 2024.
  • M=1000, M=1000, X=10, X=10, IV=4

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Is there a zero in Roman numerals? No, the concept of zero was not used in the Roman numeral system.
• What is the largest number I can convert? By standard convention, this calculator handles numbers up to 3999, as numbers 4000 and above would require a bar over the numeral (e.g., V̅ for 5000), which is not standard on keyboards.
• Why is 4 written as IV and not IIII? While IIII was used in some historical contexts, the subtractive principle (IV for 4, IX for 9) became the standard as it is more concise.