##  [Numbers: Roman numerals](/writing-tips-plus/numbers-roman-numerals)

## Info

Du contenu semblable en français est présenté dans l’article [Chiffres romains](/fr/cles-de-la-redaction/chiffres-romains).

## On this page

- [Basic Roman numerals](#basic)
- [Rules for combining numerals](#rules)
- [Table of Roman numerals](#table)
- [Uses of Roman numerals](#uses)
- [Additional information](#additional-information)

## Basic Roman numerals

There are seven basic Roman numerals, represented by letters:

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

## Rules for combining numerals

The basic Roman numerals can be combined to represent different numeric values, according to the following rules:

- Identical side-by-side numerals are added together.
- II (1 + 1) = 2
- When a larger numeral comes before a smaller one, they’re added together.
- VI (5 + 1) = 6
- When a smaller numeral comes before a larger one, the smaller value is subtracted from the larger.
- IX (10 - 1) = 9
- Only **I**, **X** and **C** can be subtracted from another numeral, and only from the next two numerals that are larger than it.
- XCIX \[**not** IC\] = 99
- **V**, **L**, and **D** (the numerals that represent **5**, **50** and **500**, respectively) are never written before a larger numeral and hence never subtracted from a larger numeral. They’re also never repeated.
- CML \[**not** LM\] = 950
- M \[**not** DD\] = 1000
- The same symbol cannot be used more than three times in succession (except for the numeral **M**). Therefore, the number **4** is normally represented as **IV** (5 - 1), and not as **IIII**. However, in keeping with an old tradition, the numeral **IIII** is sometimes used on clock dials.
- For larger numbers, a horizontal bar over a Roman numeral multiplies its value by 1000. This bar is called a vinculum.
- V = 5000
- D = 500 000

## Table of Roman numerals

The following table provides a summary of Roman numerals, along with their corresponding numeric values:

Table of Roman Numerals and Their Corresponding Numeric Values
| Roman numeral | Numeric value | I | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| II | 2 |
| III | 3 |
| IV | 4 |
| V | 5 |
| VI | 6 |
| VII | 7 |
| VIII | 8 |
| IX | 9 |
| X | 10 |
| XX | 20 |
| XXX | 30 |
| XL | 40 |
| L | 50 |
| LX | 60 |
| LXX | 70 |
| LXXX | 80 |
| XC | 90 |
| C | 100 |
| CC | 200 |
| CCC | 300 |
| CD | 400 |
| D | 500 |
| M | 1000 |
| MD | 1500 |
| MM | 2000 |
| MMM | 3000 |
| IV | 4000 |
| V | 5000 |
| X | 10,000 |
| C | 100,000 |
| D | 500,000 |
| M | 1,000,000 |

## Uses of Roman numerals

Although Roman numerals are becoming increasingly rare, they’re still used in a number of cases.

Roman numerals are used after the names of rulers, aristocrats, ships, racing cars and space vehicles:

- Charles IV
- Pius XII
- Bluenose II
- Saturn V

Roman numerals are often used in Government of Canada Statutes:

- Schedule IV
- Part III

Roman numerals are sometimes used for the numbers of volumes, chapters, acts, tables, illustrations and other parts of a book or play, although they’re now often replaced with Arabic numerals:

- Psalm XXIII
- Volume XII
- Appendix III
- Act II, Scene iii \[act number in upper case, scene number in lower case\]

Roman numerals are also sometimes used in the titles of TV and film series:

- Jurassic Park III

Lower case Roman numerals may be used for page numbers in preliminary matter (preface, foreword, table of contents, etc.) and subclauses of legal documents:

- page xi of the Preface

Roman numerals are also used for years (in very formal contexts), centuries and recurring events of major importance:

- MCMLXIV
- XIX century
- XXIII Olympiad

**Note:** Ordinal forms (**st**, **nd**, **th**, etc.) should not be used with Roman numerals:

- XIX century \[**not** XIXth century\]
- XXII Olympiad \[**not** XXIInd Olympiad\]

**Note:** Ordinal forms (**st**, **nd**, **th**, etc.) should not be used with Roman numerals:

- XIX century \[**not** XIXth century\]
- XXII Olympiad \[**not** XXIInd Olympiad\]

## Additional information

- [Decoding Roman numerals](/en/quiz/decoding-roman-numerals-eng) (quiz)

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## Liens connexes

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