To write a year in Roman numerals, break it into thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones, then write each group using the standard symbols. 2026 is MMXXVI: two M’s for 2000, two X’s for 20, VI for 6. 1999 is MCMXCIX: M for 1000, CM for 900, XC for 90, IX for 9.
The Conversion Method
- Divide the year into place values: thousands, hundreds, tens, ones.
- Convert each group using the table below.
- Write the groups left to right, largest to smallest.
| Value | Roman |
|---|---|
| 1000 | M |
| 900 | CM |
| 800 | DCCC |
| 700 | DCC |
| 600 | DC |
| 500 | D |
| 400 | CD |
| 300 | CCC |
| 200 | CC |
| 100 | C |
| 90 | XC |
| 80 | LXXX |
| 70 | LXX |
| 60 | LX |
| 50 | L |
| 40 | XL |
| 30 | XXX |
| 20 | XX |
| 10 | X |
| 9 | IX |
| 8 | VIII |
| 7 | VII |
| 6 | VI |
| 5 | V |
| 4 | IV |
| 3 | III |
| 2 | II |
| 1 | I |
Worked Examples
2026:
- 2000 = MM
- 20 = XX
- 6 = VI
- Result: MMXXVI
1776 (US Declaration of Independence):
- 1000 = M
- 700 = DCC
- 70 = LXX
- 6 = VI
- Result: MDCCLXXVI (M+DCC+LXX+VI = 1000+700+70+6)
1969 (Apollo 11 moon landing):
- 1000 = M
- 900 = CM
- 50 = L
- 10 = X
- 9 = IX
- Result: MCMLXIX (M+CM+L+X+IX = 1000+900+50+10+9 = 1969)
1999:
- 1000 = M
- 900 = CM
- 90 = XC
- 9 = IX
- Result: MCMXCIX
2000:
- 2000 = MM
- Result: MM
Common Years in Roman Numerals
| Year | Roman Numerals | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1492 | MCDXCII | Columbus reaches Americas |
| 1776 | MDCCLXXVI | US Declaration of Independence |
| 1865 | MDCCCLXV | End of US Civil War |
| 1900 | MCM | Turn of 20th century |
| 1969 | MCMLXIX | Moon landing |
| 1999 | MCMXCIX | Turn of millennium |
| 2000 | MM | Year 2000 |
| 2001 | MMI | First year of 21st century |
| 2020 | MMXX | COVID-19 pandemic year |
| 2024 | MMXXIV | Paris Olympics |
| 2026 | MMXXVI | Current year |
Where Years in Roman Numerals Appear
Film and television credits: Copyright dates on films have appeared in Roman numerals since the early days of cinema. British broadcasters notably used Roman numerals in copyright lines for decades, and the practice spread internationally. A film marked MMXXIV was made in 2024.
Building cornerstones: Foundation stones, especially on government buildings, courthouses, and universities, frequently bear the year of construction in Roman numerals. Look at the cornerstone of older public buildings and you will likely see a Roman numeral date.
Clocks: Many analog clock faces use Roman numerals, particularly on traditional and decorative designs. Note that IV is commonly rendered as IIII on clock faces — a historical preference among clockmakers, not standard Roman numeral convention.
Sporting events: The Super Bowl, Olympics, and other major recurring events use Roman numerals to number their editions. Super Bowl I was in 1967; the numbering has continued ever since.
Monarchs and popes: The reign number of a monarch or pope is given in Roman numerals. Henry VIII is the eighth Henry, Elizabeth II was the second Elizabeth.
Clock Face Exception: IIII vs. IV
Most Roman numeral guides say 4 should be written IV. But many traditional clock faces use IIII for 4 instead. This is a historical convention in clock-making, not a mistake. Theories for its origin include symmetry (balancing VIII on the other side of the face), the preferences of specific monarchs, and ease of casting metal type. The IIII convention on clocks is long-established even if it breaks the standard subtractive rule.
Use the Roman numeral converter to convert any year instantly. For the full rules of how to read Roman numerals, see how to read Roman numerals. For an explanation of why there is no zero in the system, see why Roman numerals have no zero.