Roman Numeral Converter

The seven basic Roman numeral symbols are: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000. These symbols are combined to create all other numbers. Larger values are written to the left, smaller to the right. When a smaller value appears before a larger one, it's subtracted (IV = 4, IX = 9). This subtraction rule applies only to: I before V or X, X before L or C, and C before D or M.

To convert numbers to Roman numerals: Start with the largest values and work down. Example: 1994 = 1000 (M) + 900 (CM) + 90 (XC) + 4 (IV) = MCMXCIV. Rules: Don't repeat a symbol more than 3 times (use subtraction instead - 4 is IV not IIII, except on clocks). Never subtract a symbol more than one magnitude smaller (99 is XCIX, not IC). Common patterns: 4=IV, 9=IX, 40=XL, 90=XC, 400=CD, 900=CM.

Roman numerals remain in use for: Clock faces (especially on traditional clocks), Movie copyright years (©MCMXCIV), Book chapters and outlines (Chapter IV), Event numbering (Super Bowl LIV, Olympics), Formal documents and inscriptions, Numbering monarchs and popes (Henry VIII, Pope John Paul II), Building cornerstones and monuments. They're valued for their classic, formal appearance and historical significance, even though Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3...) are more practical for math.

Standard Roman numerals go up to 3,999 (MMMCMXCIX). The Romans didn't have a symbol for zero or numbers over a few thousand. For larger numbers, they used a bar over a numeral to multiply it by 1,000 (V̄ = 5,000), but this isn't standardized. In practice, Roman numerals are rarely used for numbers above 3,999. This limitation is why Roman numerals were eventually replaced by the more flexible Arabic numeral system for mathematics and commerce.