48 in Roman Numerals
Forty-eight is written XLVIII in Roman numerals. It uses the subtractive rule, where a smaller glyph placed before a larger one is taken away rather than added, which keeps the numeral short and is the part most people find fiddly.
How XLVIII is formed
Reading left to right, 48 breaks into these additive parts. Each Roman symbol is added in turn to reach the total.
XL + V + I + I + I = 40 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 48.
Where 48 in Roman numerals is used
- Chapter, act or appendix numbering in books and plays.
- Super Bowl XLVIII and other numbered championship events.
- Outlines, exam questions and list items in formal documents.
- Monarch and pope names, for example the 48th of a royal line.
Good to know about 48
- Super Bowl XLVIII was played in 2014; the NFL numbers its championship in Roman numerals (with the one-off exception of Super Bowl 50).
Convert another number
48 is written XLVIII in Roman numerals.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write 48 in Roman numerals?
Write 48 as XLVIII, combining XL + V + I + I + I. Start from the largest value that fits and work down until nothing is left over.
Why is 48 not written XXXXVIII?
XLVIII uses the subtractive rule: a smaller symbol placed before a larger one is taken away, so you never repeat a symbol four times. XXXXVIII breaks that rule, which is why XLVIII is the only correct form.
Which Super Bowl is XLVIII?
Super Bowl XLVIII is the 48th Super Bowl, played in 2014. The NFL sets its championship number in Roman numerals, which is why so many people look up values like XLVIII.
How do you say XLVIII in words?
XLVIII is 48, spoken as "forty-eight". The numeral is read as the single value 48, not as its separate letters.