42 in Roman Numerals = XLII
Forty-two is written XLII in Roman numerals. The subtractive rule works once in XLII, in XL for 40: a smaller glyph placed before a larger one is taken away rather than added, which keeps XLII shorter than stacking strokes would.
What is 42 in Roman numerals?
How XLII is formed
Reading left to right, 42 breaks into these additive parts. Each Roman symbol is added in turn to reach the total.
XL + I + I = 40 + 1 + 1 = 42.
The shape of XLII
- Written out, XLII runs 4 characters, against 3 for 41 (XLI) and 5 for 43 (XLIII).
- One pair inside XLII is subtractive: XL makes 40 by putting the smaller glyph first. The rest of the numeral is plain addition.
- 42 sits in the XL band: every numeral from 40 to 49 opens with XL, and the II after it carries the last 2.
- XLII draws on 3 of the seven symbols, with I doing the most work at 2 appearances.
Where 42 in Roman numerals is used
- Chapter, act or appendix numbering in books and plays.
- Super Bowl XLII and other numbered championship events.
- Outlines, exam questions and list items in formal documents.
Good to know about 42
- Forty-two, XLII, is the 'answer to everything' from Douglas Adams and a favourite geek tattoo.
Convert another number
42 is written XLII in Roman numerals.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write 42 in Roman numerals?
Write 42 as XLII, combining XL + I + I. Start from the largest value that fits and work down until nothing is left over.
Why is 42 not written XXXXII?
XLII uses the subtractive rule: a smaller symbol placed before a larger one is taken away, so you never repeat a symbol four times. XXXXII breaks that rule, which is why XLII is the only correct form.
Which Super Bowl is XLII?
Super Bowl XLII is the 42nd Super Bowl, played in 2008. The NFL sets its championship number in Roman numerals, which is why so many people look up values like XLII.
Is there a shorter way to write 42?
No. XLII is the standard, canonical spelling. Each value has exactly one correct Roman form, so XLII is the only valid way to write 42.