Roman numerals
Updated: 09/12/2023 by Computer Hope
Roman numerals are several characters used in the Latin numbering system. Consisting of seven letters from the Latin alphabet, Roman numerals were the most common way of writing numbers up through the Middle Ages. The following sections contain a table describing the values of Roman numerals, how to read them, and examples.
Roman numeral values
| Roman Numeral | Numerical Value |
|---|---|
| I | 1 |
| V | 5 |
| X | 10 |
| L | 50 |
| C | 100 |
| D | 500 |
| M | 1,000 |
How to read Roman numerals with examples
How are they read?
This section explains how to read Roman numerals. Different characters are read by looking at their individual values from left to right. If the value of a character to the left of another is greater, add the numbers. You subtract the lesser value from the greater one if it's less. For example, VI is six, whereas IV is four.
Examples of different Roman numerals?
- III = (1+1+1) = 3
- XI = (10+1) = 11
- LXI = (50+10+1) = 61
- IX = (10-1) = 9
- XLIV = (50-10)+(5-1) = 44