Number
59 in Roman numerals
59 is written LIX
Type any other number or numeral below to convert it.
Above 3,999? Type the barred part in brackets, e.g. (IV)CC = 4,200.
How LIX is built
Roman numerals are written one decimal place at a time, largest first.
- Ltens · 5L is 50.
- IXones · 9I before X means 10 − 1 = 9. This saves writing VIIII.
50 + 9 = 59
The pair IX uses subtraction: a smaller letter before a larger one is taken away from it. Only six pairs work this way: IV, IX, XL, XC, CD and CM. More on subtraction
Mistakes to avoid
- Not LVIIII (6 letters). That adds everything up without subtraction. The Romans sometimes wrote numbers this way, and clocks still show 4 as IIII, but today LIX (3 letters) is the standard.
About the number 59
- 59 is a prime number: only 1 and 59 divide it exactly.
- LIX has 3 letters. 907 of the numbers up to 1,000 have longer numerals.
Counting from 51 to 60
| Number | Roman numeral |
|---|---|
| 51 | LI |
| 52 | LII |
| 53 | LIII |
| 54 | LIV |
| 55 | LV |
| 56 | LVI |
| 57 | LVII |
| 58 | LVIII |
| 59 | LIX |
| 60 | LX |