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Last updated on September 27, 2025
Roman Numerals are symbols derived from Latin letters used by the 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 numbers. The unavailability of zero at that time and the lack of other mathematical operations made Roman Numerals obsolete in recent times. For example, we write 150000 as CL.
Roman numerals are used today in clocks, chapters in books, and classrooms. The following chart helps us to understand the numerals better. List of Roman Numerals 1 to 1000000000 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 1000
Roman Numerals from 1001 to 2000
Roman Numerals from 2001 to 3000
Roman Numerals from 3001 to 4000
Roman Numerals from 4001 to 5000
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 smaller parts and then convert them into numerals.
Step 1: Break the numbers into 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 1200.
Step 1: Start with the larger numbers. While splitting, we will get 1000 and 200 The Roman Numeral of 1000 is M
Step 2: Add or subtract the smaller number If we add 200 to 1000 it will become 1200. The Roman Numeral of 200 is CC Therefore, the Roman Numeral of 1200 is MCC.
Roman Numerals follow rules to ensure the number is written correctly. Here are some main rules given below
Rule 1: Addition Method
Rule 2: Repetition Method
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
Rule 4: Limitation Rule
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 more than three times. Only symbols like I, X, C, and M can be repeated while 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 2800 using the breakdown method.
The Roman Numeral of 2800 is MMDCCC.
Step 1: Break the numbers into thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. 2800 = 2000 + 800
Step 2: Add numerals to each part. The Roman Numeral of 2000 is MM. The Roman Numeral of 800 is DCCC.
Step 3: Combine the parts 2000 (MM) + 800 (DCCC) = MMDCCC (2800).
Add MM + DC.
MMDC
Adding MM (2000) and DC (600) = MMDC (2600).
Subtract M - D.
D
M = 1000 D = 500 1000 - 500 = 500 = D.
Write the Roman Numeral of 1000000.
M̅
The Roman Numeral of 1000000 is M̅.
Add 200000 + 25000 and write the answer in Roman Numeral.
CCXXV
200000 + 25000 = 225000 CC + XXV = CCXXV.
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.