23 in Roman numerals at a glance
- Roman numeral
- XXIII
- Lowercase
- xxiii
- Letters
- 5
- Parts
- X · X · I · I · I
- Subtractive pairs
- None
- In words
- twenty-three
- Latin name
- viginti tres
How XXIII is built
Roman numerals are written one decimal place at a time, from the largest place to the smallest. Converting each digit of 23 separately and joining the pieces gives XXIII:
| Place | Digit | Value | Numeral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tens | 2 | 20 | XX |
| Ones | 3 | 3 | III |
Reading it back, left to right:
- X = 10 → running total 10
- X = 10 → running total 20
- I = 1 → running total 21
- I = 1 → running total 22
- I = 1 → running total 23
The rules XXIII follows
- Largest to smallest. XXIII uses the symbols X and I (5 characters in all), and the values never increase from left to right except inside a subtractive pair.
- No subtraction needed. None of the digits of 23 is a 4 or a 9, so XXIII is purely additive: just add the symbol values.
- Repetition. XX repeats X two times and III repeats I three times. I, X, C and M may repeat up to three times in a row; V, L and D never repeat.
Where you will see XXIII
- The U.S. Constitution. Amendments are often cited in Roman numerals: Amendment XXIII gives Washington, D.C., electoral votes (ratified in 1961).
- Monarchs and popes. Regnal numbers use Roman numerals, as in Pope John XXIII, who opened the Second Vatican Council in 1962.
- The modern Summer Games. They are officially numbered by Olympiad; the Games of the XXIII Olympiad belong to 1984: Los Angeles.
- Championship games. Pro football numbers its championship game with Roman numerals, starting from game I in January 1967. Game XXIII was played in early 1989.
- Volumes and sequels. Book volumes, conference editions, film sequels and anniversary events often carry a Roman numeral; edition XXIII would be the 23rd.
Numbers near 23 in Roman numerals
Frequently asked questions
How do you write 23 in Roman numerals?
23 is written XXIII. Break it into X (10), X (10), I (1), I (1), I (1) and add the parts: 10 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 23.
What is 23 in Latin?
The Latin cardinal number 23 is “viginti tres.” The Romans wrote it as XXIII.
What is XXIII plus one?
XXIII + I = XXIV (24). Adding one can change the whole ending of a numeral, which is why it helps to convert to digits, add, and convert back.