Greek Numbers

Ancient and Modern Greek Numerical Systems

Complete Number Reference

Value Ancient Symbol Modern Greek Pronunciation Ordinal Ordinal Pronunciation
1
ㅤ alpha
ena protos
2
ㅤ beta
dyo defteros
3
ㅤ gamma
tria tritos
4
ㅤ delta
tessera tetartos
5
ㅤ epsilon
pente pemptos
6
ㅤ stigma
exi ektos
7
ㅤ zeta
epta evdomos
8
ㅤ eta
okto ogdoos
9
ㅤ theta
ennea enatos
10
ㅤ iota
deka dekatos
20
ㅤ kappa
eikosi eikostos
30
ㅤ lambda
trianta triakostos
40
ㅤ mu
saranta tessarakostos
50
ㅤ nu
peninta pentikostos
60
ㅤ xi
exinta exikostos
70
ㅤ omicron
evdominta evdomikostos
80
ㅤ pi
ogdonta ogdoikostos
90
ㅤ koppa
eneninta enenikostos
100
ㅤ rho
ekato ekatostos

The Greek numerical system represents one of the earliest sophisticated methods of representing numbers in Western civilization. From the ancient acrophonic system to the alphabetic system still used today, Greek numbers have played a crucial role in mathematics, science, and cultural documentation.

Greek Number Converter

Convert Numbers to Greek Numerals

Enter any number between 1 and 9999 to see its Greek numeral representation

Historical Number Systems

Acrophonic System

c. 600-400 BCE

Used initial letters of number words

5
From πέντε (pente)
10
From δέκα (deka)
100
From ἑκατόν (hekaton)

Ionic System

c. 400 BCE onwards

Used alphabet letters with numerical values

1
Alpha with keraia
10
Iota with keraia
100
Rho with keraia

Milesian System

c. 200 BCE onwards

Extended alphabet system including obsolete letters

6
Stigma (obsolete letter)
90
Koppa (obsolete letter)
900
Sampi (obsolete letter)

Mathematical Applications

Summation

Sum from 1 to 10 using Greek numerals

Series

Sequence notation using Greek numerals

Equations

Equations using Greek numerical indices

Special Rules and Conventions

Keraia Usage

  • • Always placed in the upper right of the last letter
  • • Required to distinguish numbers from text
  • • Used for all numerical values except thousands

Number Formation

  • • Numbers written left-to-right, highest to lowest
  • • No zero in ancient Greek numbers
  • • Maximum four letters per number

Special Cases

  • • Thousands marked with comma before number
  • • Myriads (10,000s) use M prefix
  • • Fractions use special notation

Historical Texts and Usage

Archimedes' Works

  • • Used in mathematical proofs
  • • Geometric calculations
  • • Engineering specifications

Ancient Inscriptions

  • • Building measurements
  • • Financial records
  • • Calendar dates

Byzantine Manuscripts

  • • Religious texts
  • • Administrative documents
  • • Scientific treatises

Modern Applications

Academic

  • • Chapter numbering in classical texts
  • • Mathematical sequence notation
  • • Historical date representation

Cultural

  • • Traditional Greek documents
  • • Church calendars
  • • Commemorative inscriptions

Decorative

  • • Book design
  • • Architectural elements
  • • Artistic compositions

Number Formation Examples

Basic Numbers

Single letters with keraia (´) represent numbers 1-9

Compound Numbers

Combinations of letters represent larger numbers

Thousands

Numbers with comma prefix represent thousands

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