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ROMAN function in Google Sheets

Formats a number in Roman numerals.

=ROMAN(number, [rule_relaxation])

ROMAN syntax and parameters

Two arguments, one required.

  • numbernumberRequired

    The number to format, between 1 and 3999, inclusive.

  • rule_relaxationnumberOptional

    [ OPTIONAL - 0 by default ] - The degree to which traditional syntax rules may be relaxed, between 0 and 4 inclusive. 0 indicates strict precedence rules, where I may only precede V and X, V may only precede X, X may only precede L and C, L may only precede C, and C may only precede D and M. Therefore ROMAN(499,0) is CDXCIX. 1 indicates a relaxation where V may precede L and C and L may precede D and M. Therefore ROMAN(499,1) is LDVLIV. 2 indicates a further relaxation where I may precede L and C, and X may precede D and M. Therefore ROMAN(499,2) is XDIX. 3 indicates a further relaxation where V may precede D and M. Therefore ROMAN(499,3) is VDIV. 4 indicates a further relaxation where I may precede D and M. Therefore ROMAN(499,4) is ID.

ROMAN examples

Formulas you'll actually reuse.

  1. A year or chapter number as a classic Roman numeral:

    =ROMAN(B2)

    Result"MMXXVI"

  2. The most simplified form (4) — 499 becomes ID instead of CDXCIX:

    =ROMAN(499, 4)

    Result"ID"

ROMAN in Excel

Same name — your formula ports as-is.

Try ROMAN in the playground

Edit the example — nothing to install.

Preloaded with the ROMAN formula from Example 1 — change anything and watch it respond.

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ROMAN errors

What they mean — and the fixes.

  • #VALUE!

    The number is negative or above 3999 — Roman numerals stop there.

Related functions

More ways Google Sheets gets this done.