Roman Numerals 1-30
Chart from romanumerals.com/numbers/1-30
Need a number above 30? Use the converter.
The pattern
- From 1 to 30 you only need 3 symbols: I (1), V (5), and X (10).
- 6 numbers use subtraction: 4 (IV), 9 (IX), 14 (XIV), 19 (XIX), 24 (XXIV), and 29 (XXIX). In each one a smaller symbol stands before a larger one and is taken away from it.
- Each number is its ten followed by its unit, read from left to right: 27 (XXVII) is XX + VII, and 24 (XXIV) is XX + IV.
- The longest is 28, XXVIII, with 6 letters.
Building blocks
Every number here is put together from these pieces, from the largest place to the smallest.
| Digit | Units | Tens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I 1 | X 10 |
| 2 | II 2 | XX 20 |
| 3 | III 3 | XXX 30 |
| 4 | IV 4 | — |
| 5 | V 5 | — |
| 6 | VI 6 | — |
| 7 | VII 7 | — |
| 8 | VIII 8 | — |
| 9 | IX 9 | — |
Common mistakes
Wrong: VIIII
Why isn't 9 written VIIII?
A symbol can repeat at most three times in a row. The correct form is IX: X − I.
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
- Learn 1 to 10 first. From 11 to 19 put X in front, from 21 to 29 put XX in front.
- 30 is XXX: three X's, the most any symbol can repeat in a row.
- The numbers that end in 4 or 9 are the only ones with subtraction: XXIV, XXIX.
Try it
Five numbers from this list. Answer in your head, then open the answer.
1.How do you write 19?Show the answer
XIX
2.What number is XVII?Show the answer
17
3.How do you write 24?Show the answer
XXIV
4.What number is VIII?Show the answer
8
5.How do you write 28?Show the answer
XXVIII
Common questions
Which numbers from 1 to 30 use subtraction?
4 (IV), 9 (IX), 14 (XIV), 19 (XIX), 24 (XXIV), and 29 (XXIX): 6 numbers in all.
What is the longest Roman numeral from 1 to 30?
XXVIII (28), with 6 letters.