Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our Roman numeral converter and the numeral system itself.
Converter Tool
How do I use the converter?
Simply type a number into the "Enter Number" field to see its Roman numeral equivalent, or type a Roman numeral into the "Enter Roman Numeral" field to convert it to a number. The conversion happens instantly as you type.
What is the range of numbers I can convert?
Our tool supports the conversion of integers from 1 to 3999. This is the standard range for classical Roman numerals.
Why can't I convert numbers larger than 3999?
The standard Roman numeral system does not have a native way to represent numbers of 4000 or greater. While historical variations exist for larger numbers (like using a bar over a numeral to multiply its value by 1,000), our converter adheres to the most commonly accepted classical rules.
Roman Numeral System
What are the basic symbols?
The system is based on seven symbols: I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000).
What are the subtractive rules?
To avoid repeating a symbol four times (like IIII), a smaller value symbol is placed before a larger value symbol to indicate subtraction. The rules are:
- I before V (IV = 4) and X (IX = 9)
- X before L (XL = 40) and C (XC = 90)
- C before D (CD = 400) and M (CM = 900)
Is there a zero in Roman numerals?
No, the Roman numeral system does not include a symbol or concept for zero.