Roman numerals are several characters used in the Latin numbering system. Consisting of seven letters from the Latin alphabet, Roman numerals were the most common way of writing numbers up through the Middle Ages. The following sections contain a table describing the values of Roman numerals, how to read them, and examples.
Roman numeral values
How to read Roman numerals with examples
How are they read?
This section explains how to read Roman numerals. The way different characters are read is by looking at their individual values from left to right. If the value of a character to the left of another is greater, add the numbers. If it’s less, then you subtract the lesser value from the greater one. For example, VI is six whereas IV is four.
What are examples?
- III = (1+1+1) = 3
- XI = (10+1) = 11
- LXI = (50+10+1) = 61
- IX = (10-1) = 9
- XLIV = (50-10)+(5-1) = 44
Font, Roman, Typography terms
