IV is a single Roman symbol group for 4. It uses subtractive notation: IV (5 - 1).
How 4 is written in Roman numerals
The number 4 is written IV in Roman numerals. Roman numerals use seven letters — I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500) and M (1000) — combined from largest to smallest, with subtractive pairs such as IV (4) and IX (9). Need another number? Use the Roman numeral converter or see the 1–100 chart.
Building IV step by step — take the largest value that fits, write its symbol, subtract, repeat.
| Write | Value | Remaining before | Remaining after |
|---|
| IV | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Where you see IV
On a clock face, the 4th hour is marked IV. Traditional clock dials are the one common exception to the subtractive rule: most write 4 as IIII rather than IV, to balance the dial against VIII opposite it. Regnal and papal names use it the same way — a 4th ruler of a name is styled IV, as in Louis IV or Pope John IV. The 4th Super Bowl was Super Bowl IV; the NFL has used Roman numerals for every edition except Super Bowl 50.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is 4 in Roman numerals?
4 in Roman numerals is IV. It is written as one value group, IV, worth 4 on its own, so nothing has to be added to it. The number below it, 3, is written III, and the number above it, 5, is written V.
How do you write 4 in Roman numerals?
Write 4 as IV, a single Roman symbol group worth 4. Roman numerals are built by taking the largest value that still fits, writing its symbol and subtracting it, which reduces 4 in 1 step: IV leaves 0. Every symbol keeps the same value wherever it stands, so the order is fixed and IV is the only standard spelling of 4.
Why is 4 written IV rather than IIII?
4 is written IV because Roman numerals subtract a smaller symbol placed in front of a larger one. Here IV means 5 minus 1. Spelling 4 out additively would give IIII, 4 letters against 2, which is why the subtractive form is the standard one.
How is IV read out loud?
IV is read as the number it stands for, four, and never letter by letter. Roman numerals are a way of writing values rather than a separate set of names, so the spoken form is the same whether the page shows 4 or IV. A chapter or volume numbered IV, for instance, is simply chapter four.