The Complete Guide to Roman Numerals
Roman numerals are a numeral system that originated in ancient Rome and remained the usual way of writing numbers throughout Europe well into the Late Middle Ages. Numbers in this system are represented by combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet.
- I = 1
- V = 5
- X = 10
- L = 50
- C = 100
- D = 500
- M = 1000
How to Read & Write Dates for Tattoos
One of the most popular uses for Roman numerals today is in tattoos representing significant dates like birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries. Unlike standard numbers, Roman numerals carry a classic, timeless aesthetic.
When converting a date (e.g., July 4, 1776), you typically convert each part separately:
- Month: July is the 7th month → VII
- Day: 4th day → IV
- Year: 1776 → MDCCLXXVI
This gives you VII • IV • MDCCLXXVI. You can use dots, dashes, or spaces to separate the components, which is why our tool above includes a separator option.
Popular Years Chart (1950–2030)
Looking for your birth year? Here is a quick reference chart for the most common years requested for designs.
The 3 Rules of Roman Numerals
To read Roman numerals correctly, you must understand three specific rules regarding how symbols are placed next to each other.
1. The Rule of Repetition
When a symbol is repeated, its value is added. However, a symbol cannot be repeated more than three times in a row. (e.g., III = 3, but 4 is not IIII).
2. The Rule of Addition
When a smaller symbol appears after a larger symbol, you add it to the total.
Example: VI (5 + 1 = 6) or MC (1000 + 100 = 1100).
3. The Rule of Subtraction
When a smaller symbol appears before a larger symbol, you subtract it. This is used to avoid repeating a symbol four times.
Example: IV (5 - 1 = 4) or CM (1000 - 100 = 900).
Why is there no Zero?
The Romans had no numeral for zero. They were more interested in counting and trading tangible goods (soldiers, cattle, coins) rather than abstract mathematics. They used the word nulla (meaning "none") to describe the absence of quantity, but it was not part of the numeral system used for calculation.
Modern Usage
Despite the dominance of Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2...), Roman numerals are still widely used for stylistic and traditional purposes:
- Super Bowl: The NFL uses Roman numerals to designate each Super Bowl game (e.g., Super Bowl LVIII).
- Clocks & Watches: Often display hours I through XII. Interestingly, clocks often use IIII for 4 instead of IV to create visual symmetry with VIII on the other side.
- Movie Copyrights: The year of production in movie credits is almost always written in Roman numerals (e.g., MCMLXXXVIII for 1988).
- Monarchs: Used to distinguish rulers with the same name (King Charles III).