What age do children learn to read Roman numeral clocks?

Usually in Year 3 in England (ages 7–8) and Grade 3 in the US (ages 8–9). Children move at different speeds, so it is fine to start earlier or come back to it later.

What mistakes do children make with Roman numeral clocks?

Children often read IV as 6 and IX as 11, because they read the letters from left to right and add. Others count the hour from the wrong side of the clock when they are unsure of a numeral. Each hint explains how that numeral is made: in IX, for example, the I comes before the X, so it means 1 less than 10.

How can I help my child practise at home?

Look for Roman numeral clocks when you are out: churches, stations and watches often have them. Ask your child which numeral the hour hand is pointing at, then what time that makes.

Is this Roman numeral clock game free?

Yes. The whole game is free to play in the browser, with no ads, no sign-up and nothing to download. Progress is saved only on the device you play on.

Roman Numeral Clock Game

Time skill · Year 3 (UK) · Grade 3 (US)

Coral Town

Where shall we play?

Hi! Tap me to see the time.

What children learn: telling the time on a clock with Roman numerals

Many clock faces, watches and town clocks use Roman numerals instead of 1 to 12. The hands work in exactly the same way. Only the numbers look different, so children need to know I to XII before they can read the time.

Roman numerals are built from three letters on a clock: I means 1, V means 5 and X means 10. A small letter after a bigger one adds (VI is 6), and a small letter before a bigger one takes away (IV is 4, IX is 9). The game asks children to name single numerals as well as read and set whole times, and it pairs the ones that are easy to mix up, such as IV and VI.

Some clocks show 4 as IIII instead of IV. Both mean 4, but the game uses IV, as most schools teach it.

Questions parents ask

What age do children learn to read Roman numeral clocks?: Usually in Year 3 in England (ages 7–8) and Grade 3 in the US (ages 8–9). Children move at different speeds, so it is fine to start earlier or come back to it later.
What mistakes do children make with Roman numeral clocks?: Children often read IV as 6 and IX as 11, because they read the letters from left to right and add. Others count the hour from the wrong side of the clock when they are unsure of a numeral. Each hint explains how that numeral is made: in IX, for example, the I comes before the X, so it means 1 less than 10.
How can I help my child practise at home?: Look for Roman numeral clocks when you are out: churches, stations and watches often have them. Ask your child which numeral the hour hand is pointing at, then what time that makes.
Is this Roman numeral clock game free?: Yes. The whole game is free to play in the browser, with no ads, no sign-up and nothing to download. Progress is saved only on the device you play on.

Tip for teachers

Teach I to XII first with the numeral rounds, then let children read and set times. Anyone can also switch every clock in the game to Roman numerals in the settings, for more practice at other levels.

A five-minute class activity

Write the twelve Roman numerals on cards and hand them out. Children stand in a circle in clock order, then the class reads times as you point the hands at different cards.