2,000 in Roman numerals
2,000 is written MM. In chunks: M (1,000) + M (1,000) = 2,000.
The answer
MM
2,000 in Roman numerals is MM.
How MM is built
There is no single letter for 2,000, so write M, which is 1,000, twice: M + M = MM. Two of the same letter side by side are added.
| Letter | Worth | England curriculum |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | Year 3 |
| V | 5 | Year 3 |
| X | 10 | Year 3 |
| L | 50 | Year 4 |
| C | 100 | Year 4 |
| D | 500 | Year 5 |
| M | 1,000 | Year 5 |
The mistake to watch for
Miscounting the letters in MM
MM is two M's, added together. One letter more or fewer makes a different number: M is 1,000 and MMM is 3,000.
Reading years in Roman numerals
In England, the Year 5 curriculum includes recognising years written in Roman numerals. You may also see them on foundation stones, old buildings and film credits. To read one, split the year into thousands, hundreds, tens and ones, and write each part.
1066, the year of the Battle of Hastings, is M (1,000) + LXVI (66) = MLXVI. There are no hundreds, and with no zero there is nothing to write for them.
Up to 100, the Roman numerals chart has every number, and the converter there checks each step.
Keep going
Questions parents ask
What is 2,000 in Roman numerals?
2,000 is MM.
What comes before and after MM?
1,999 is MCMXCIX and 2,001 is MMI. M stays at the front, and CMXCIX becomes M: MCMXCIX becomes MM.
Does MM use subtraction?
No. Every letter in MM is the same size as, or smaller than, the letter before it, so you just add them all.
What is the biggest letter in MM?
M, which is 1,000. MM has 2 letters.
Where might you see MM?
Roman numerals appear in film copyright lines and carved dates on cornerstones. In standard notation, a year from 2000 to 2999 starts with MM. The 2012 film The Snowman and The Snowdog carries the copyright MMXII, and a Zamora cornerstone is marked with MMXII.
When do children learn MM?
In England, Year 5 children learn to read Roman numerals to 1,000 (M) and recognise years written in Roman numerals. Year 4 reads numerals to 100 (C).
Want to practise more?
Explore the diagnostic for more practice activities.