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Last updated on August 29, 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 315 as CCCXV.
Roman numbers are used today in clocks, chapters in books, classrooms, etc. The following chart helps us to understand the numerals better.
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 D (500). Learning these numerals helps you in a deeper understanding of the numerical system.
Roman Numerals from 301 to 400
Roman Numerals from 401 to 500
Roman Numerals rely on specific symbols, and it has rules of addition and subtraction. The basic symbols in Roman Numerals are:
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 hundreds, tens, and one's parts.
Step 2: Write Roman Numerals for each part.
Step 3: Combine all the parts to get the numerals.
Example: For the number 399.
Step 1: Break the numbers 300 + 90 + 9 = 399
Step 2: Add Roman Numerals for each part
Step 3: Combine all the parts 300 (CCC) + 90 (XC) + 9 (IX) = CCCXCIX. Therefore, the Roman Numeral of 399 is CCCXCIX.
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 312.
Step 1: Start with the larger numbers. While splitting, we will get 300 and 12 The Roman Numeral of 300 is CCC
Step 2: Add or subtract the smaller number If we add 12 to 300 it will become 312. The Roman Numeral of 12 is XII
Therefore, the Roman Numeral of 312 is CCCXII.
Roman Numerals follow rules to make sure the number is written correctly. Here are some main rules given below:
If the smaller numeral comes after the large numeral, then we need to add their values.
Example: If the given number is CCCXII. We can see that the number CCC refers to 300 and the other number refers to 12. So in this, the smaller numeral is after the large numeral, so we need to add the 300 and 12 to get the value 312.
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: CCC = 100 + 100 + 100 = 300 repeating the numeral C 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 CD. Here, D is the biggest numeral and C is the smallest numeral. As we see that the smaller numeral is before the larger numeral, we need to subtract to get the number. D (500) - C (100) = CD (400).
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, XC here X (10) - C(100) is applicable but IC, C (100) - I(1) is not applicable. Only one subtraction can be allowed in one numeral. For example, XC (90), C (100) - X (10) is applicable to get 90 but XXC is not applicable to get the number 80.
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 328 using the breakdown method.
The Roman Numeral of 328 is CCCXXVIII.
Step 1: Break the numbers into hundreds, tens, and ones. 328 = 300 + 20 + 8
Step 2: Add numerals to each part.
Step 3: Combine the parts 300 (CCC) + 20 (XX) + 8 (VIII) = CCCXXVIII (328).
Add CCCXX + VI.
CCCXXVI
Adding CCCXX (320) and VI (6) = CCCXXVI (326).
Subtract CD - LXXV.
CCCLXXV
CD = 400 LXXV = 75 400 - 75 = 325 = CCCLXXV.
Write the Roman Numeral of 300.
CCC
The Roman Numeral of 300 is CCC.
Add 350 + 25 and write the answer in Roman Numeral.
CCCLXXV.
350 + 25 = 375 CCCL + XXV = CCCLXXV.
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.