Polar Games
Guide

Roman Numerals: Chart 1-100 and How to Convert

The seven symbols (I, V, X, L, C, D and M), the adding and subtracting rules, a chart from 1 to 100, thousands, years like 2026 and an easy way to convert any number.

By Polarzinho ·

Polarzinho in a Roman helmet pointing at a stone tablet carved with I V X L C D M, among ancient columns and a clock with Roman numerals

The Romans had no number keys. They wrote numbers with letters: I, V, X, L, C, D and M. It looks tricky, but it is only seven symbols and four little rules. I learned it all in one bamboo afternoon, and you will in five minutes.

Here you get the full chart from 1 to 100, the hundreds, the thousands, the most searched years and a step-by-step way to convert any number, both ways.

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The seven symbols

  • I = 1
  • V = 5
  • X = 10
  • L = 50
  • C = 100
  • D = 500
  • M = 1,000

The four rules

  1. A smaller symbol after a bigger one adds: VI = 5 + 1 = 6, LX = 50 + 10 = 60.
  2. A smaller symbol before a bigger one subtracts: IV = 5 − 1 = 4, XC = 100 − 10 = 90.
  3. I, X, C and M can repeat up to three times in a row: III = 3, XXX = 30, MMM = 3,000. V, L and D never repeat.
  4. Only three symbols subtract, and only from the next two up: I before V and X, X before L and C, C before D and M.

Because of rule 4, 49 is XLIX (40 + 9), not IL. And 99 is XCIX (90 + 9), not IC.

Roman numerals chart 1 to 100

  • 1 = I · 2 = II · 3 = III · 4 = IV · 5 = V · 6 = VI · 7 = VII · 8 = VIII · 9 = IX · 10 = X
  • 11 = XI · 12 = XII · 13 = XIII · 14 = XIV · 15 = XV · 16 = XVI · 17 = XVII · 18 = XVIII · 19 = XIX · 20 = XX
  • 21 = XXI · 22 = XXII · 23 = XXIII · 24 = XXIV · 25 = XXV · 26 = XXVI · 27 = XXVII · 28 = XXVIII · 29 = XXIX · 30 = XXX
  • 31 = XXXI · 32 = XXXII · 33 = XXXIII · 34 = XXXIV · 35 = XXXV · 36 = XXXVI · 37 = XXXVII · 38 = XXXVIII · 39 = XXXIX · 40 = XL
  • 41 = XLI · 42 = XLII · 43 = XLIII · 44 = XLIV · 45 = XLV · 46 = XLVI · 47 = XLVII · 48 = XLVIII · 49 = XLIX · 50 = L
  • 51 = LI · 52 = LII · 53 = LIII · 54 = LIV · 55 = LV · 56 = LVI · 57 = LVII · 58 = LVIII · 59 = LIX · 60 = LX
  • 61 = LXI · 62 = LXII · 63 = LXIII · 64 = LXIV · 65 = LXV · 66 = LXVI · 67 = LXVII · 68 = LXVIII · 69 = LXIX · 70 = LXX
  • 71 = LXXI · 72 = LXXII · 73 = LXXIII · 74 = LXXIV · 75 = LXXV · 76 = LXXVI · 77 = LXXVII · 78 = LXXVIII · 79 = LXXIX · 80 = LXXX
  • 81 = LXXXI · 82 = LXXXII · 83 = LXXXIII · 84 = LXXXIV · 85 = LXXXV · 86 = LXXXVI · 87 = LXXXVII · 88 = LXXXVIII · 89 = LXXXIX · 90 = XC
  • 91 = XCI · 92 = XCII · 93 = XCIII · 94 = XCIV · 95 = XCV · 96 = XCVI · 97 = XCVII · 98 = XCVIII · 99 = XCIX · 100 = C

Tens, hundreds and thousands

Tens

10 = X · 20 = XX · 30 = XXX · 40 = XL · 50 = L · 60 = LX · 70 = LXX · 80 = LXXX · 90 = XC · 100 = C

Hundreds

100 = C · 200 = CC · 300 = CCC · 400 = CD · 500 = D · 600 = DC · 700 = DCC · 800 = DCCC · 900 = CM · 1000 = M

Thousands

1000 = M · 2000 = MM · 3000 = MMM

With the normal rules, the biggest number is 3,999 = MMMCMXCIX. For bigger values, the Romans drew a bar over a letter, which multiplies it by a thousand.

How to convert a number

  1. Split the number into thousands, hundreds, tens and ones. Example: 1987 = 1000 + 900 + 80 + 7.
  2. Swap each part for its Roman form: 1000 = M, 900 = CM, 80 = LXXX, 7 = VII.
  3. Put them together in order: MCMLXXXVII.

And how do you read a Roman numeral?

Read from left to right. If a symbol is smaller than the next one, it subtracts; otherwise it adds. XLIV = XL (40) + IV (4) = 44. MCMXLV = M (1000) + CM (900) + XL (40) + V (5) = 1945.

Years in Roman numerals

  • 1500 = MD
  • 1822 = MDCCCXXII
  • 1945 = MCMXLV
  • 1999 = MCMXCIX
  • 2000 = MM
  • 2025 = MMXXV
  • 2026 = MMXXVI

Where we still use them

  • Names of kings, queens and popes: Henry VIII, Elizabeth II.
  • Book chapters, volumes and parts of a document.
  • Outlines and lists: section I, II, III.
  • Clock faces.
  • Dates on monuments and old buildings.

How do you say them?

For royals and popes in English, use the ordinal: Henry VIII is "Henry the Eighth" and Elizabeth II is "Elizabeth the Second".

Fun facts

  • Roman numerals have no zero.
  • Many clocks show 4 as IIII instead of IV.
  • There is no Roman way to write decimals like ours, with a decimal point.

Practice letters while you play

Roman numerals are letters, and letters are my thing. In Stop!, when the letter M comes up, I remember it is worth a thousand.

Stop! home screen with the options to play with the crowd or create a room with friends

PolarzinhoLetter C drawn: one hundred points of wanting to win.

Stop!: play with the crowd or create a room with friends.

In Letter River you drag across the letters to spell the answer to each clue, at your own pace.

Letter River letter board next to the list of clues, with a river and mountains behind
Letter River: the letter board with the clues beside it.

FAQ

How do you write 4 in Roman numerals?

IV (5 − 1). Some clocks show IIII.

How do you write 2026 in Roman numerals?

MMXXVI: MM (2000) + XX (20) + VI (6).

What is the biggest Roman numeral?

With the normal rules, 3,999 (MMMCMXCIX). With a bar on top, you can go further.

Is there a zero in Roman numerals?

The Romans had no symbol for zero.

Your turn

Write the year you were born and your age in Roman numerals. Then read this one: MCDXCII.

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