The Excel ROMAN function converts an Arabic number into a Roman numeral as text, with an optional form argument controlling how concise the result is.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
number | Required | The number to convert, from 0 to 3999. |
form | Optional | How concise the numeral is: 0 (or omitted) = classic, 1, 2, 3 = progressively shorter, 4 = most simplified. TRUE = classic, FALSE = simplified. |
How to use it
ROMAN turns a whole number (0–3999) into its Roman numeral, using standard subtractive notation by default.
The optional form argument makes the numeral shorter by allowing extra subtractive shortcuts. Form 0 (classic) gives "CDXCIX" for 499; form 4 (most concise) collapses it all the way to "ID":
The result is text. To convert a Roman numeral back to a number, use ARABIC.
Tip: Forms 0–4 range from the traditional spelling to the most simplified. Most uses want the default (form 0).
Try it: interactive demo
Pick a ROMAN example to see the formula and its result.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
What numbers can ROMAN convert?
What does the form argument do?
"CDXCIX" and form 4 gives "ID".Is the result a number or text?
=ROMAN(14) returns the string "XIV". Use ARABIC to turn a Roman numeral back into a number you can calculate with.How do I convert a Roman numeral back to a number?
ARABIC, which is the inverse of ROMAN. =ARABIC("XIV") returns 14.Master functions like this in one day
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