Last updated on June 26th, 2025
Roman Numerals are the symbols from the Latin letters used by Romans for daily transactions and counting purposes. In this topic, we will learn how to write Roman Numerals and their uses.
Roman Numerals use symbols to represent number systems. Ancient Romans used the letters I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to represent the number system. The unavailability of zero at that time and the lack of other mathematical operations made the Roman Numerals obsolete in recent times. For example, we write 15 as XV.
Roman numbers are used today in clocks, chapters in books, classrooms, etc. The following chart helps us to understand the numerals better.
List of Roman Numerals 1 to 1000
The list of Roman Numerals provides an organized way to understand how those letters combine to represent a number. The given list starts from I (1) to M (1000).
Learning these numerals helps you in a deeper understanding of the numerical system.
Roman Numerals from 1 to 100
Roman Numerals from 101 to 200
Roman Numerals from 201 to 300
Roman Numerals from 301 to 400
Roman Numerals from 401 to 500
Roman Numerals from 501 to 600
Roman Numerals from 601 to 700
Roman Numerals from 701 to 800
Roman Numerals from 801 to 900
Roman Numerals from 901 to 1000
Roman Numerals rely on specific symbols, and it has rules of addition and subtraction. The basic symbols in Roman Numerals are:
I = 1
V = 5
X = 10
L = 50
C = 100
D = 500
M = 1000
Using the above symbols, we can combine the Roman Numerals for the numbers easily. There are two basic methods of writing Roman Numerals, they are:
Through the expansion method, we break down the numbers into hundreds, tens, and one's parts and then convert them into numerals.
Step 1: Break the numbers into ones, tens, and hundreds of parts.
Step 2: Write Roman Numerals for each part.
Step 3: Combine all the parts to get the numerals.
Example: For the number 999.
Step 1: Break the numbers 900 + 90 + 9 = 999
Step 2: Add Roman Numerals for each part
The Roman Numeral of 900 is CM.
The Roman Numeral of 90 is XC.
The Roman Numeral of 9 is IX.
Step 3: Combine all the parts 900 (CM) + 90 (XC) + 9 (IX) = CMXCIX.
Therefore, the Roman Numeral of 999 is CMXCIX.
Grouping method directly from the number by combining Roman Numeral symbols directly. It uses addition and subtraction rules.
Step 1: Start writing numerals for the largest number.
Step 2: Smaller numbers are either getting added or subtracted.
Following the rule of adding and subtraction is mandatory.
Addition: smaller numeral after the larger numeral.
Subtraction: smaller numeral before the large numeral. Example: For the number 112.
Step 1: Start with the larger numbers.
While splitting, we will get 100 and 12
The Roman Numeral of 100 is C.
Step 2: Add or subtract the smaller number If we add 12 to 100, it will become 112.
The Roman Numeral of 12 is XII.
Therefore, the Roman Numeral of 112 is CXII.
Roman Numerals follow rules to make sure the number is written correctly. Here are some main rules given below:
In Roman Numerals, if the smaller numeral comes after the large numeral, then we need to add their values.
Example: If the given number is XII. We can see that the number X refers to 10 and the other number refers to 2. So in this, the smaller numeral is after the large numeral, so we need to add the 10 and 2 to get the value 12.
The Roman Numeral can be repeated up to three times to increase its value. The numbers cannot be repeated after three times. Only symbols like I, X, C, and M can be repeated and V, L, and D cannot be repeated.
Example: XXX = 10 + 10 + 10 = 30, repeating the numeral X for the fourth time is not allowed.
If the smaller numeral comes before the large numeral, then we need to subtract the smaller numeral from the larger numeral to get the number. There are three rules in subtraction, they are, I can be subtracted from V and X. X can be subtracted from L and C. C can be subtracted from D and M.
Example: In the number IV. Here, V is the biggest numeral and I is the smallest numeral. As we see that the smaller numeral is before the larger numeral, we need to subtract to get the number. V (5) - I (1) = IV (4).
Roman Numerals consist of several limitations, they are: A numeral cannot be repeated more than three times.
For example, III (3) cannot be repeated more than 3 times; instead, we use IV for writing 4. Subtraction cannot be done with the non-pair numbers.
For example, XI here X (10) - I(1) gives IX is applicable but IC, C (100) - I(1) is not applicable. Only one subtraction can be allowed in one numeral.
For example, XL (40), L (50) - X (10) is applicable to get 40 but XXL is not applicable to get the number 30.
Roman Numerals are fun to learn and easy to write when you know the following tips and tricks.
It is easy to make mistakes while learning Roman Numerals, but using the following mistakes and the ways to avoid them can help you to avoid those mistakes.
Write the Roman Numerals for 728 using the breakdown method.
The Roman Numeral of 728 is DCCXXVIII.
Step 1: Break the numbers into hundreds, tens, and ones. 728 = 700 + 20 + 8
Step 2: Add numerals to each part.
The Roman Numeral of 700 is DCC.
The Roman Numeral of 20 is XX.
The Roman Numeral of 8 is VIII.
Step 3: Combine the parts 700 (DCC) + 20 (XX) + 8 (VIII) = DCCXXVIII (728).
Add CCL + XXXII.
CCLXXXII
Adding CCL (250) and XXXII (32) = CCLXXXII (282).
Subtract CM - DCCCXXV.
LXXV
CM = 900
DCCCXXV = 825
900 - 825 = 75 = LXXV.
Write the Roman Numeral of 1000.
M
The Roman Numeral of 1000 is M.
Add 500 + 225 and write the answer in Roman Numeral.
DCCXXV.
500 + 225 = 725
D + CCXXV = DCCXXV.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.