9 in Roman numerals
9 is written IX. The smaller I comes before the bigger X, so take it away: IX is 9, one before ten.
The answer
IX
9 in Roman numerals is IX.
How IX is built
To write it, 9 is less than 10, so there are no tens to write: 9 is IX.
To read it, IX is one take-away pair, so there is nothing else to add.
| Chunk | Worth | Why |
|---|---|---|
| IX | 9 | I before X: take away |
The mistake to watch for
Writing 9 as VIIII
Wrong: VIIII
VIIII writes I four times in a row. Never more than three: 9 is IX, one before ten.
Check it with the converter
Type VIIII to see why VIIII is not 9. The rule numbers it gives are the three rules on the Roman numerals page.
Converter set to IX (9).
Keep going
Questions parents ask
What is 9 in Roman numerals?
9 is IX.
What comes before and after IX?
8 is VIII and 10 is X.
Does IX use subtraction?
Yes. I comes before the bigger X, so IX is 9.
What is the biggest letter in IX?
X, which is 10. IX has 2 letters.
Where might you see IX?
On clock faces, where the hours from I to XII go round the dial, at the left-hand side of the dial.
When do children learn IX?
In Year 3. The national curriculum has Year 3 children tell the time on clocks with Roman numerals from I to XII, so IX 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 IX in order is the careful checking 11+ papers reward. The free diagnostic covers all four subjects, with no card needed.