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Last updated on September 26, 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 50
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 L (50).
Learning these numerals helps you in a deeper understanding of the numerical system.
Roman Numerals from 1 to 10
Roman Numerals from 11 to 20
Roman Numerals from 21 to 30
Roman Numerals from 31 to 40
Roman Numerals from 41 to 50
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
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 tens and one's parts and then convert them into numerals.
Step 1: Break the numbers into ones and tens of parts.
Step 2: Write Roman Numerals for each part.
Step 3: Combine all the parts to get the numerals.
Example: For the number 47.
Step 1: Break the numbers 40 + 7 = 47
Step 2: Add Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral of 40 is XL. The Roman Numeral of 7 is VII.
Step 3: Combine all the parts 40 (XL) + 7 (VII) = XLVII. Therefore, the Roman Numeral of 47 is XLVII.
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.
Example: For the number 23.
Step 1: Start with the larger numbers. While splitting, we will get 20 and 3 The Roman Numeral of 20 is XX
Step 2: Add or subtract the smaller number If we add 3 to 20 it will become 23. The Roman Numeral of 3 is III
Therefore, the Roman Numeral of 23 is XXIII.
Roman Numerals follow rules to make sure the number is written correctly. Here are some main rules given below:
Rule 1: Addition Method 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 XVI. We can see that the number X refers to 10 and the other number refers to 6. So in this, the smaller numeral is after the large numeral, so we need to add the 10 and 6 to get the value 16.
Rule 2: Repetition Method 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, 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.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method 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.
Example: In the number IX. Here, X 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. X (10) - I (1) = IX (9).
Rule 4: Limitation Rule 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 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 38 using the breakdown method.
The Roman Numeral of 38 is XXXVIII.
Step 1: Break the numbers into tens and ones. 38 = 30 + 8
Step 2: Add numerals to each part. The Roman Numeral of 30 is XXX. The Roman Numeral of 8 is VIII.
Step 3: Combine the parts 30 (XXX) + 8 (VIII) = XXXVIII (38).
Add XV + IX.
XXIV
Adding XV (15) and IX (9) = XXIV (24).
Subtract L - XX.
XXX
L = 50 XX = 20 50 - 20 = 30 = XXX.
Write the Roman Numeral of 50.
L
The Roman Numeral of 50 is L.
Add 40 + 5 and write the answer in Roman Numeral.
XLV.
40 + 5 = 45 XL + V = XLV.
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.