V is a single Roman symbol group for 5.
How 5 is written in Roman numerals
The number 5 is written V 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 V step by step — take the largest value that fits, write its symbol, subtract, repeat.
| Write | Value | Remaining before | Remaining after |
|---|
| V | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Where you see V
On a clock face, the 5th hour is marked V. Regnal and papal names use it the same way — a 5th ruler of a name is styled V, as in Louis V or Pope John V. The 5th Super Bowl was Super Bowl V; the NFL has used Roman numerals for every edition except Super Bowl 50.
Nearby numbers
Popular numbers in Roman numerals
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 5 in Roman numerals?
5 in Roman numerals is V. It is written as one value group, V, worth 5 on its own, so nothing has to be added to it. The number below it, 4, is written IV, and the number above it, 6, is written VI.
How do you write 5 in Roman numerals?
Write 5 as V, a single Roman symbol group worth 5. Roman numerals are built by taking the largest value that still fits, writing its symbol and subtracting it, which reduces 5 in 1 step: V leaves 0. Every symbol keeps the same value wherever it stands, so the order is fixed and V is the only standard spelling of 5.
Which letters make up V?
V is a single letter, one of the seven Roman symbols, and it is worth 5 on its own. Nothing is added to it and nothing is subtracted from it, which is what makes it one of the shortest numerals there is. The full set of symbols is I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500) and M (1000), and every other numeral is built by combining them.
Will the Roman numeral converter accept V?
Yes, type V into the Roman numeral converter and it returns 5. The converter takes only the letters I, V, X, L, C, D and M, and it re-encodes whatever you enter and compares it with the standard spelling, so a non-standard form such as IIII is rejected rather than accepted quietly. Its working range runs from 1 to 3999, which covers 5.