8 in Roman numerals
8 is written VIII. In chunks: V (5) + I (1) + I (1) + I (1) = 8.
The answer
VIII
8 in Roman numerals is VIII.
How VIII is built
To write it, 8 is less than 10, so there are no tens to write: 8 is VIII.
To read it, VIII has 4 chunks, and none of them is a take-away pair, so every chunk is added.
| Chunk | Worth | Why |
|---|---|---|
| V | 5 | Add |
| I | 1 | Add |
| I | 1 | Add |
| I | 1 | Add |
The mistake to watch for
Writing 8 as IIX
Wrong: IIX
IIX tries to take two I's away from X. Only one smaller letter can go in front of a bigger one, so 8 is VIII (5 + 3).
Check it with the converter
Type IIX to see why IIX is not 8. The rule numbers it gives are the three rules on the Roman numerals page.
Converter set to VIII (8).
Keep going
Questions parents ask
What is 8 in Roman numerals?
8 is VIII.
What comes before and after VIII?
7 is VII and 9 is IX.
Does VIII use subtraction?
No. Every letter in VIII is the same size as, or smaller than, the letter before it, so you just add them all.
What is the biggest letter in VIII?
V, which is 5. VIII has 4 letters.
Where might you see VIII?
On clock faces, where the hours from I to XII go round the dial, and in the name of King Henry VIII, who had six wives.
When do children learn VIII?
In Year 3. The national curriculum has Year 3 children tell the time on clocks with Roman numerals from I to XII, so VIII is one of the first numerals they meet. Year 4 then reads numerals to 100.
Careful reading is an 11+ skill
Reading all 4 letters of VIII in order is the careful checking 11+ papers reward. The free diagnostic covers all four subjects, with no card needed.