How does subtraction work in Roman numerals?

When a smaller value symbol appears immediately before a larger value symbol, you subtract the smaller from the larger. IV = 4 (5 minus 1), IX = 9 (10 minus 1), XL = 40, XC = 90, CD = 400, CM = 900.

Can you repeat Roman numeral symbols?

I, X, C, and M can each be repeated up to three times in a row. V, L, and D cannot be repeated.

MCMXCIX = 1999. M=1000, CM=900, XC=90, IX=9. Total: 1000+900+90+9 = 1999.

How do I write 2026 in Roman numerals?

2026 = MMXXVI. M+M = 2000, X+X = 20, V+I = 6. So MMXXVI.

How to Read Roman Numerals

Q: What are the 7 Roman numeral symbols?

I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), M (1000).

Roman numerals use 7 letters: I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500, M=1000. Add values left to right; subtract when a smaller value comes before a larger one.

Roman numerals use seven letters — I, V, X, L, C, D, M — each with a fixed value. Read them by adding values left to right. When a smaller value appears immediately before a larger one, subtract the smaller from the larger instead of adding it.

I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000.

The Seven Symbols

Symbol	Value
I	1
V	5
X	10
L	50
C	100
D	500
M	1,000

These are the only symbols in the standard Roman numeral system. There is no symbol for zero.

The Addition Rule

Most Roman numerals are simply added:

III = 1+1+1 = 3
VIII = 5+1+1+1 = 8
XIII = 10+1+1+1 = 13
LX = 50+10 = 60
CCC = 100+100+100 = 300
MMXX = 1000+1000+10+10 = 2020

Symbols of equal or decreasing value from left to right are added in sequence.

The Subtraction Rule

When a smaller value symbol immediately precedes a larger value symbol, subtract the smaller from the larger. Only six subtraction pairs are used in standard notation:

Pair	Calculation	Value
IV	5 − 1	4
IX	10 − 1	9
XL	50 − 10	40
XC	100 − 10	90
CD	500 − 100	400
CM	1000 − 100	900

No other subtractive pairs appear in standard Roman numerals. You would not write IC for 99 — the correct form is XCIX.

Reading Step by Step: MCMLXIX (1969)

Split MCMLXIX into groups: M — CM — L — X — IX

M = 1000 → running total: 1000
CM = 900 (C before M, so subtract) → running total: 1900
L = 50 → running total: 1950
X = 10 → running total: 1960
IX = 9 (I before X, so subtract) → total: 1969

Full breakdown: M (1000) + CM (900) + L (50) + X (10) + IX (9) = 1969.

Reading Step by Step: MMXXVI (2026)

M = 1000
M = 1000 → total: 2000
X = 10 → total: 2010
X = 10 → total: 2020
V = 5 → total: 2025
I = 1 → total: 2026

MMXXVI = 2026.

Reading Step by Step: MCMXCIX (1999)

M = 1000
CM = 900 → total: 1900
XC = 90 → total: 1990
IX = 9 → total: 1999

Repetition Rules

Symbol	Can repeat?	Maximum repetitions in a row
I	Yes	3 (III = 3)
V	No	Cannot repeat
X	Yes	3 (XXX = 30)
L	No	Cannot repeat
C	Yes	3 (CCC = 300)
D	No	Cannot repeat
M	Yes	3+ (conventional limit is 3, so MMMCMXCIX = 3999 is the largest standard number)

Why can’t V, L, and D repeat? Because two V’s (10) would just be X, two L’s (100) would be C, and two D’s (1000) would be M. The system avoids redundancy.

Common Roman Numerals in Daily Life

Where you see them	Example
Clock faces	IV, VIII, XII
Movie sequels and chapters	Rocky II, Star Wars Episode VI
Super Bowl numbering	Super Bowl LVII
Year on buildings and films	MMXIX (2019)
Outlines and lists	Part I, Section II
Monarchs and popes	Henry VIII, Pope John XXIII

Quick Reference: 1 to 20

Arabic	Roman	Arabic	Roman
1	I	11	XI
2	II	12	XII
3	III	13	XIII
4	IV	14	XIV
5	V	15	XV
6	VI	16	XVI
7	VII	17	XVII
8	VIII	18	XVIII
9	IX	19	XIX
10	X	20	XX

Use the Roman numeral converter to convert any number instantly, or browse the Roman numerals chart for a full reference. For dates and years specifically, see Roman numerals for years and dates.