How to write 16 in Roman numerals
Roman numerals are built place by place, from the largest value to the smallest. For 16 the places are 10 (tens), 6 (ones).
- Write 10 as
X. - Write 6 as
VI.
Joined together, X + VI gives XVI.
16 digit by digit
| Place | Value | Numeral | Rule used |
|---|---|---|---|
| tens | 10 | X | one symbol |
| ones | 6 | VI | the five symbol plus one |
Check XVI by reading it back
Reading XVI from left to right and adding the pieces: X = 10, VI = 6. Together that is 10 + 6 = 16, so XVI and 16 match.
Mistakes to avoid with XVI
- Never repeat a symbol more than three times in a row. When a fourth would be needed, the subtractive form takes over.
- Only I, X and C may be placed before a larger symbol to subtract, so XVI never contains forms such as VX or LC.
- Read XVI as one number, not letter by letter: add the values left to right, except where a smaller symbol sits before a larger one.
Facts about the number 16
- 16 is an even number and composite, with prime factors 24.
- In binary 16 is
10000and in hexadecimal it is10. - Written out, 16 is "sixteen".
- The digits of 16 add up to 7.
- 16 is a perfect square (4 x 4).
Where you will see 16 in Roman numerals
People meet the number 16 as XVI in the front matter page numbers of some academic books. Publishers apply this Roman numeral convention to separate introductory pages from the main text, which typically begins its count using standard Arabic digits.
Numbers near 16
FAQ
What is 16 in Roman numerals?
16 is written XVI in Roman numerals. It is built from X (10), VI (6).
How do you write 16 in lowercase Roman numerals?
Lowercase Roman numerals use the same rules, so 16 is xvi. Lowercase is common for page numbers in a book's preface and for outline levels.
How do I convert any number to Roman numerals?
Split the number into thousands, hundreds, tens and ones, write each part with the symbols I, V, X, L, C, D and M, then join them from largest to smallest. Or paste it into the Roman numeral converter, which also converts back.
More roman numerals
- 15 (XV): previous page
- 17 (XVII): next page
- Roman numerals chart: the full list