Roman numeral clocks are among the oldest dial designs still in everyday use. The numerals are XII at the top, then I through XI clockwise; the fours are often written IIII on antique clocks, but this one uses the modern IV.
The spade-shaped hour and minute hands are a classic hand style, easy to tell apart at a distance because the hour hand is shorter and broader. A thin gold seconds hand sweeps around the edge. Like every face here it also works as a stopwatch and a countdown timer.
Where it's useful
- A formal desk or lobby clock on a second monitor
- Learning Roman numerals alongside the time
- A traditional look for a presentation or event screen
- A calm full-screen clock for a quiet room
Three ways to use it
- Clock — the time of day in your time zone or any city, in 12- or 24-hour form.
- Stopwatch — counts up with laps; press Lap while it runs.
- Countdown — counts down from any time you set, sounds at zero, then counts overtime.
Every face runs entirely in your browser, remembers your settings on this device, and can be embedded on your own page.
Similar faces
Questions
Why are Roman numeral clocks so common?
The style carried over from medieval and Renaissance clocks and became a symbol of tradition and permanence, so it is still used on town halls, stations and watches.
How do I read Roman numerals on a clock?
I is 1, V is 5 and X is 10; add or subtract the smaller ones around them, so IV is 4, IX is 9 and XII is 12.
Can I change the colour?
Yes. Pick an accent colour and the seconds hand and centre hub change to match.