Roman numerals show up in outlines, chapter headings, legal documents, copyright years and the front matter of reports and theses. Microsoft Word gives you several ways to type them, from simply using capital letters to converting a number automatically with a field code. You can also make Word number lists and pages in Roman numerals for you. This guide covers each method.
Quick answer
The simplest way is to type Roman numerals with ordinary capital letters: I, V, X, L, C, D and M. To have Word convert a number for you, press Ctrl + F9, type =2026\*ROMAN between the braces, and press F9. Word displays MMXXVI.
Roman numeral basics
- I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000.
- Letters are added when a smaller value follows a larger one: VI = 6, XV = 15.
- A smaller value before a larger one is subtracted: IV = 4, IX = 9, XL = 40, XC = 90, CD = 400, CM = 900.
Method 1: Type them with capital letters
Press Caps Lock or hold Shift and type the letters, for example XIV for 14. This works everywhere and is what most documents use. For lowercase Roman numerals, often used for sub-points and preface pages, type lowercase letters: iv, xii.
Method 2: Convert a number with a field code
If you are not sure how to write a large number, let Word do it.
- Click where you want the numeral.
- Press Ctrl + F9 (Fn + Ctrl + F9 on some laptops; Command + F9 on a Mac). A pair of gray braces appears: { }. Do not type the braces yourself; they must be inserted with the shortcut.
- Inside the braces, type =1999\*ROMAN (replace 1999 with your number).
- Press F9 to update the field. Word shows MCMXCIX.
Use \*roman (lowercase) to get lowercase numerals such as mcmxcix. To edit the number later, right-click the result and choose Toggle Field Codes, change it, and press F9 again.
Method 3: Insert Unicode Roman numeral characters
Unicode includes special single-character Roman numerals, such as Ⅻ for 12, which are useful for clock faces and design work.
- Type the Unicode value, for example 2160 for Ⅰ, 2163 for Ⅳ, or 216B for Ⅻ.
- Press Alt + X immediately. Word converts the code into the character.
You can also find them in Insert > Symbol > More Symbols under the Number Forms subset. For ordinary documents, though, regular letters are better: they are easier to search, read aloud with screen readers and display in every font.
Method 4: Number a list with Roman numerals
- Select the paragraphs you want to number.
- On the Home tab, click the arrow next to Numbering.
- Choose the I. II. III. or i. ii. iii. style from the Numbering Library.
Word updates the numerals automatically as you add or remove items. If the numbering restarts when you do not want it to, see how to continue numbering in Word.
Method 5: Use Roman numerals for page numbers
Reports and theses often use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii) for the front matter.
- Go to Insert > Page Number and choose a position.
- Click Insert > Page Number > Format Page Numbers.
- Under Number format, choose i, ii, iii, … or I, II, III, ….
- Click OK.
To switch to normal numbers for the main text, insert a Next Page section break (Layout > Breaks), unlink the footer from the previous section, and format the new section’s numbers as 1, 2, 3 starting at 1. For help with page numbers in general, see how to show page numbers in Word.
Troubleshooting
- The field shows {=1999\*ROMAN} instead of the result: press Alt + F9 to switch from field codes to results.
- Error! instead of a numeral: make sure you inserted the braces with Ctrl + F9, not by typing them.
- AutoCorrect changes “i” to “I”: undo once with Ctrl + Z right after it happens.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest number the ROMAN field can show?
Standard Roman numerals go up to 3,999 (MMMCMXCIX). Larger numbers need special notation that Word does not produce.
How do I write the current year in Roman numerals?
Use a field that combines the date and the ROMAN switch: press Ctrl + F9, type =, press Ctrl + F9 again inside the braces, type DATE \@ “yyyy” in the inner braces, then click after them, type \*ROMAN, and press F9. Or simply type the year with the method above.
Can Excel convert numbers too?
Yes. In Excel, the formula =ROMAN(2026) returns MMXXVI.
Using Google Docs?
See how to type Roman numerals in Google Docs.
Summary
- Type Roman numerals with capital letters I, V, X, L, C, D and M.
- Use Ctrl + F9 and {=number\*ROMAN} to convert numbers automatically.
- Use Unicode codes with Alt + X for special numeral characters.
- Use Numbering and Format Page Numbers for lists and pages.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.