Roman Numerals 1-10
Chart from romanumerals.com/numbers/1-10
Need a number above 10? Use the converter.
The pattern
- From 1 to 10 you only need 3 symbols: I (1), V (5), and X (10).
- 2 numbers use subtraction: 4 (IV) and 9 (IX). In each one a smaller symbol stands before a larger one and is taken away from it.
- 1 to 3 repeat I. 4 is one before five (IV), 6 to 8 add I's after V, and 9 is one before ten (IX).
- The longest is 8, VIII, with 4 letters.
Common mistakes
Wrong: IIX
Why isn't 8 written IIX?
Only one smaller symbol can come before a larger one. The correct form is VIII: V + I + I + I.
How to remember them
- Start with three symbols: I is 1, V is 5 and X is 10.
- Count up with I's: II, III. At four, stop repeating and put I before V (IV); at nine, put I before X (IX).
- Think of V as one hand and X as two: 6, 7 and 8 are V plus one, two or three I's (VI, VII, VIII).
- A smaller symbol before a larger one is subtracted; after it, it is added.
Try it
Five numbers from this list. Answer in your head, then open the answer.
1.How do you write 8?Show the answer
VIII
2.What number is IX?Show the answer
9
3.How do you write 2?Show the answer
II
4.What number is VII?Show the answer
7
5.How do you write 5?Show the answer
V
Where you will see them
In some countries, opening-hours signs and timetables number the days of the week with Roman numerals, from I for Monday to VII for Sunday.
Clock faces with Roman numerals very often show four o'clock as IIII instead of IV, although some, like the Elizabeth Tower clock in London, use IV. Why clocks use IIII.
Common questions
Which numbers from 1 to 10 use subtraction?
4 (IV) and 9 (IX): 2 numbers in all.
What is the longest Roman numeral from 1 to 10?
VIII (8), with 4 letters.
Why is 4 written IV and not IIII?
IIII would repeat I four times, and a symbol can repeat at most three times in a row. Putting I before V means V − I = 4.
Why is 9 written IX and not VIIII?
VIIII would repeat I four times, and a symbol can repeat at most three times in a row. Putting I before X means X − I = 9.