Physics Wallah

How to Write 4 in Roman Numerals?

How to write 4 in Roman numerals with simple rules explained here. Understand why 4 in roman letters is written as IV and avoid common mistakes.
authorImageShivam Singh22 Jul, 2025
4 in Roman Numerals

4 in Roman numerals is written as IV. Roman numerals use letters like I, V, and X to show numbers. These letters come from the number system used by people in ancient Rome. Each letter carries a value, and by putting them in a different order, we can make different numbers.

So, when we say four in Roman numbers, we use two Roman letters, which are I (which means 1) and V (which means 5), to get IV. Nowadays, we can see 4 Roman numerals along with others on old clocks or book chapters. Keep reading to learn more about the basic rules for writing four in Roman numbers.

Read More: XXVII Roman Numerals

4 in Roman Numerals

4 number in Roman is written as IV. This is because Roman numerals follow both addition and subtraction rules. Instead of writing four as four I’s (IIII), the Romans used a smarter way. In Roman numerals, I stands for 1 and V stands for 5.

So, to write 4 in Roman letters, we place I before V. This means we subtract 1 from 5. So, 5 minus 1 becomes 4. That’s why 4 in Roman numerals is written as IV. This method keeps the numbers short and easy to read. That’s how the 4 number in Roman is written using just two letters.

Basic Rules to Write Four in Roman Numbers

Roman numerals follow simple rules that help us understand how to correctly write numbers like 4 in Roman numerals. Once you know these rules, reading and writing numbers like 4th in Roman numerals becomes very easy. Here are the rules you need to know:

  • When a smaller letter comes before a bigger one, we subtract. For example, IV means 5 - 1, which is 4. That’s how we write four in Roman numbers.

  • When a bigger letter comes before a smaller one, we add. For example, VI means 5 + 1 = 6.

  • If a letter is repeated, we add the values. For example, III means 1 + 1 + 1 = 3.

  • The same letter cannot be repeated more than three times in a row. That’s why we don’t write 4 as IIII. Instead, we write it as IV.

These rules help us write numbers like 4 in Roman letters in the right way, without making mistakes.

Read More: XXV Roman Numerals

Why Do We Write 4 as IV and Not IIII in Roman Numerals?

Have you ever wondered why 4 in Roman numerals is written as IV and not IIII? Let’s understand the reason behind it. In Roman numerals, there's a rule that says we should not repeat the same letter more than three times in a row. That means we can write 1 as I, 2 as II, and 3 as III. But writing 4 as IIII would break the rule.

So, instead of adding four I’s, the Romans used a smart trick. They wrote I before V, which means we subtract 1 from 5. That gives us IV, which is the correct way to write 4 in Roman letters. This rule not only keeps the writing short but also neat. That’s why we always write 4 in Roman letters as IV and not IIII.

Numbers Related to 4 Roman Numerals

Now that we know 4 in Roman numerals is written as IV, let’s look at some numbers related to it. This will help you understand the pattern and remember them easily. Here is the list of numbers related to 4 Roman numerals:

  • 1 in Roman numerals is I.

  • 2 in Roman numerals is II.

  • 3 in Roman numerals is III.

  • 4 in Roman letters is IV.

  • 5 in Roman numerals is V.

  • 6 in Roman numerals is VI.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Writing 4 in Roman Letters

While writing 4 in Roman letters, many children make small mistakes. Here are a few common ones you should try to avoid:

Writing “IIII” instead of “IV”

A common mistake is repeating the letter I four times. But as per Roman numeral rules, the same letter should not be used more than three times in a row. So, four in Roman number must be written as IV, not IIII.

Mixing up IV and VI

Some students get confused between IV and VI. Remember, IV means 4 and VI means 6. The order of the letters is important. In IV, I comes before V, so we subtract (5 - 1 = 4). In VI, I comes after V, so we add (5 + 1 = 6).

Adding instead of subtracting in IV

Sometimes, kids think that IV means 1 + 5, which gives 6. But that is not correct. Since I come before V, we subtract. So 4 in Roman letters is written as IV, meaning 5 - 1. Learning these small rules will help you write the 4 number in Roman correctly every time.

Also Read: CMXX Roman Numeral

Why is Learning Roman Numerals Important?

Learning Roman numerals helps you understand numbers in a new way. It shows that numbers can be written using letters too. This makes your brain think differently and helps you become better at math.

  • It also connects you to history. Long ago, Romans used these letters to count, record dates, and do daily work. When you learn how to write 4 in Roman numerals along with other numbers, you're also learning a part of ancient history.

  • Roman numerals are still used today. We can see 4 in Roman letters (IV) on wall clocks, books, and even in movie names like Part IV. Some people even use Roman numerals in tattoos to record special dates.

  • In school, they may also come in logic puzzles or questions in exams. So knowing four in Roman number helps you understand and solve them easily.

Strengthen Your Child’s Math Basics with CuriousJr’s Online Tuition Classes

Does your child struggle to understand math concepts taught in class? It’s common for many kids to need extra time and support to learn topics fully. Without the right help, this gap can slow down their learning and affect their marks in exams.

CuriousJr’s Online Tuition Classes are specially designed for students from Class 3 to 9. These classes make learning simple and engaging. With a unique dual-teacher method, every child gets the attention they need during and after classes as well.

These online math tuition classes include fun visuals, regular homework help, and timely updates for parents so you always know how your child is progressing. Book a demo class for Maths today and give your child the support they need to build strong math basics and enjoy learning with confidence.

4 in Roman Numerals FAQs

What is 4 in Roman Numerals?

The number 4 in Roman numerals is written as IV. Roman numerals use letters to show numbers. In this case, I means 1 and V means 5. When we write I before V, it means we subtract 1 from 5, which gives us 4.

Can we write 4 in Roman letters as IIII?

No, we should not write 4 in Roman letters as IIII. In Roman numerals, the same letter cannot be used more than three times in a row. That’s why 4 is written as IV instead of IIII.

Is 4 written as IV or VI in Roman numerals?

The correct way to write 4 in Roman numerals is IV, not VI. It may be confusing because the letters look similar. But IV means 5 minus 1 = 4, while VI means 5 plus 1 = 6.

While writing four in Roman number, do we add or subtract?

We subtract. In Roman numerals, when a smaller letter comes before a bigger one, we subtract the smaller from the bigger. For 4 number in Roman, I (1) comes before V (5), so we do subtraction like 5 - 1 = 4.
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others

Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.