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11 in Roman numerals

11 is written XI. In chunks: X (10) + I (1) = 11.

The answer

XI

11 in Roman numerals is XI.

How XI is built

To write it, split 11 into 10 + 1. 10 is X, 1 is I, so 11 is X then I: XI.

To read it, XI has 2 chunks, and none of them is a take-away pair, so every chunk is added.

ChunkWorthWhy
X10Add
I1Add

The mistake to watch for

Writing 11 as IX

Wrong: IX

IX has the same letters in a different order, and order matters. A smaller letter before a bigger one means take away, so IX is 9, not 11. 11 is XI.

Check it with the converter

Type IX to see why IX is not 11. The rule numbers it gives are the three rules on the Roman numerals page.

Converter set to XI (11).

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Questions parents ask

What is 11 in Roman numerals?

11 is XI.

What comes before and after XI?

10 is X and 12 is XII.

Does XI use subtraction?

No. Every letter in XI is the same size as, or smaller than, the letter before it, so you just add them all.

What is the biggest letter in XI?

X, which is 10. XI has 2 letters.

Where might you see XI?

On clock faces, where the hours from I to XII go round the dial.

When do children learn XI?

In Year 3. The national curriculum has Year 3 children tell the time on clocks with Roman numerals from I to XII, so XI is one of the first numerals they meet. Year 4 then reads numerals to 100.

Careful reading is an 11+ skill

Reading both letters of XI in order is the careful checking 11+ papers reward. The free diagnostic covers all four subjects, with no card needed.