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Roman Numerals: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Roman Numerals is a free printable history and number worksheet for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Children change Roman numerals into ordinary numbers and write ordinary numbers as Roman numerals, up to 100. It takes about 15 minutes, needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children work through numbered questions with space to write each answer. Some questions show a Roman numeral and ask what number it stands for. Others give an ordinary number and ask children to write it in Roman numerals. The numerals range from short ones to longer ones, so children need to read each letter carefully and think about the order the letters come in.
- VII = ?
- XIV = ?
- XXIX = ?
- XLIV = ?
- LXVIII = ?
- XCIX = ?
- Write 19 in Roman numerals.
- Write 56 in Roman numerals.
A worked example
Write 83 in Roman numerals.
This question uses different numbers from the sheet. It shows two ways to work and one way to check.
Method 1: split into tens and ones- Split 83 into 80 and 3.
- Write 80 using the letters for 50 and 10: L, then X, X, X. That makes LXXX.
- Write 3 as III.
- Join the two parts, biggest first: LXXXIII.
- Read LXXXIII from left to right.
- L is 50, XXX is 30 and III is 3.
- Add them: 50 + 30 + 3 = 83. The answer checks out.
How Roman numerals are built
Letters have fixed values
Each letter stands for one value. I is 1, V is 5, X is 10, L is 50 and C is 100. Children who know these five can read and write every numeral up to 100.
Biggest first
Numerals are usually written with the largest value on the left. Children read from left to right and add the values as they go.
Three in a row at most
The same letter is not written more than three times in a row. If a fourth seems needed, there is a shorter way to write it.
Smaller before larger
When a smaller numeral sits directly before a larger one, its value is taken away instead of added. Only I, X and C are used in this way.
Where Roman numerals come from
Roman numerals were used by the ancient Romans, who built a huge empire and ruled part of Britain for hundreds of years. The numerals are letters from the Latin alphabet. Romans used them to count, to record amounts and to mark things such as buildings and monuments.
Our everyday number system uses place value, so the position of a digit tells us its value. Roman numerals work differently, because each letter has its own value. There is also no symbol for zero. Comparing the two systems helps children see why place value is so useful.
Fun facts about Roman numerals
- Roman numerals are made from letters, not special symbols.
- The Romans had no symbol for zero in their numerals.
- Many clock faces and watch faces still use Roman numerals.
- The names of some kings and queens use them, such as Elizabeth II and Charles III.
- Roman numerals are often used for chapter numbers in books and for the year at the end of some films.
Skills and curriculum link
- Reading Roman numerals
- Writing Roman numerals
- Place value
- Converting between systems
- Adding and subtracting in the head
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | Maths | Number and place value | Year 4 |
What children will be able to do
- I can read Roman numerals up to 100.
- I can write Roman numerals up to 100.
- I can change a Roman numeral into an ordinary number.
Helpful ideas for working with Roman numerals
- Learn the five lettersI, V, X, L and C are all children need for numbers up to 100. Write them on a small card with their values and keep it beside the sheet.
- Work in chunksSplit a numeral into groups of letters. Work out each group, then put the values together.
- Look for a smaller letter firstIf a smaller letter comes before a larger one, take its value away. Spot these pairs before you start adding.
- Check by reading backAfter writing a numeral, read it aloud from left to right and add up the values. The total should match the number you started with.
Key words
- Roman numeralA number written using letters such as I, V, X, L and C.
- NumeralA symbol or group of symbols that stands for a number.
- ValueHow much a letter or digit is worth.
- Place valueThe value of a digit depends on where it sits in a number. In 52, the 5 means 5 tens.
- ConvertChange something from one form into another, such as a Roman numeral into an ordinary number.
- SubtractTake one amount away from another.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Write the letters I, V, X, L and C with their values on a card. Keep it in view while your child works.
- Do the first question together. Ask your child to say what each letter is worth before they decide on the answer.
- Let your child work alone for about 15 minutes. Then check against page 2 and ask, "How did you work that out?"
- Come back another day and redo any questions that felt tricky. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Start with numbers up to 20 and build up. Use a card showing what I, V and X are worth. Say the letters aloud and add them one at a time, left to right. Try the shorter numerals first and return to the longer ones later.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to write the ages of everyone in the family in Roman numerals. Then they can write a house number or a page number from a book. Finally, they can make three numbers for a friend to read.
Make it a game
Play a number calling game. One player says a number up to 100 and the other writes it in Roman numerals. Check together, then swap roles. Score a point for each correct answer. First to ten points wins.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child adds every letter and ignores the order, so a numeral with a smaller letter in front comes out too big.
Try thisLook for a smaller letter before a larger one first. Circle the pair and take the smaller value away from the larger.
Watch forA child writes the same letter four times in a row.
Try thisRemind them that three in a row is the most. Ask if there is a larger numeral that could be used with a smaller one placed in front.
Watch forA child mixes up L and C, or X and V.
Try thisUse the value card. Say the order out loud: I, V, X, L, C. Link each letter to its value as you point.
Talk about it
- Which letter do you find easiest to remember, and why?
- How is writing a number in Roman numerals different from writing it normally?
- Why might the Romans have found it hard to do long sums with these numerals?
- Where have you seen Roman numerals outside school?
- How could you check that your Roman numeral is right?
- Which was your trickiest question, and how did you solve it?
Take it off the page
Clock face hunt
Look at clocks and watches at home or out and about. Find any that use Roman numerals. Write down the numerals you see and say what each one means.
Stone tablet numbers
Press a pencil into air dry clay or salt dough to carve numerals, as the Romans did on stone. Make a small set for numbers your child knows. An adult should do any baking.
Numeral cards
Make cards with ordinary numbers on one side and Roman numerals on the other. Use them to quiz each other, then mix them up and sort them into pairs.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first question, then let them lead. Keep sessions to ten or fifteen minutes. Praise careful thinking, not only correct answers, and keep the value card in view.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or supply task. It needs only printing. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups, plus the answers for quick marking.
Home educators
Pair it with books about the Romans, a walk to spot Roman numerals on clocks or buildings, and everyday talk. The sheet can be printed again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in learning
Before this, children build their understanding of place value and counting in tens and ones within 100. That helps them see how our number system works, so they can compare it with the Roman one.
After this, children in Year 5 go on to read and write Roman numerals to 1000 and to recognise years written in Roman numerals. Secure work up to 100 now makes that step easier.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How did you work out what XLIV means?
- What do you notice about the numerals I, V, X, L and C?
- How would you write your age in Roman numerals?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Roman Numerals for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9), in Key Stage 2. Younger children can try it with numbers up to 20 and an adult beside them, and older children can use it as a quick recap.
- What will children practise?
Children read and write Roman numerals up to 100. They convert between Roman numerals and ordinary numbers, and they think about how the value of each letter works.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 15 minutes. Children work alone once they have tried the first question together. If you want a shorter session, do the first few questions and come back to the rest later.
- What if it feels too hard?
Start with numbers up to 20 and build up. Give your child a card showing what I, V, X, L and C are worth. Work through the first question together, then let them try the next one alone.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision, and share it with other parents or colleagues.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It works as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 includes help and stretch ideas plus answers.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it suits quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Black and white printing works well, and no colour ink is needed.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.