What in the Ancient Greek world is σλδ (sigma-lambda-delta, or “sld”) supposed to mean, and how would you even pronounce it? Why that bar over it? You’ve likely come across a classic Greek number, tripping up even seasoned readers. Find here a handy converter that turns Ancient Greek numerals into Arabic decimal numbers — and vice versa ⤓.
First, Eyeing High
Ever since Plato, philosophers keep their head high and feet low — lower still. In the Theaetetus, a Thracian servant famously ribs Thales as she hauls him from a pit: what good knowing the stars and sky when the ground trips you up?
For all we know, Thales was busy charting the well’s shadow from below. Either way, let’s keep our eyes on the classic Greek numerals like μθʹ lest they, too, trip us up:
Greek Numerals ⇔ Decimal Numbers Converter: Instant Tool
Decimal Number to Greek Numeral
Type any whole number between (and including) 1 and 9 999 under Decimal Number to get its Greek numeral equivalent:
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Numerals all Greek to you now?
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Greek Numeral to Decimal Number
Enter a Greek number (under Greek Numeral) in either Greek form or Latin transliteration to get its decimal number equivalent:
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The building blocks: Greek Numerals to Copy and Paste: 1 to 9999
Also a number system: Roman Numerals Converter: Years, Chapters, Super Bowls and More
Greek Numerals ⇔ Decimal Numbers Converter: FAQ
How do Greek numerals work?
The converters above use Milesian numerals.
Milesian numbers are an alphabetical number system. The Alphabet is divided into three sections with nine characters each to represent ones (α for 1 to θ for 9), tens (ι to ϟ) and hundreds (ρ to ϡ). Using the keraia ͵ as a prefix, the ones can be used to stand for the thousands (͵α to ͵θ). The extra characters ϛ for 6, Ϟ for 90 and Ϡ for 900 are taken from old forms of the Greek script.
To make numbers stand out, they were often written with a bar over the whole length of the number in handwriting; in print, the Greek numeral sign ʹ is put behind the number.
Examples: ψξθʹ (769), ͵βτϟϛ (2396) and ν̅σ̅τ̅ (56)
Not only a number: How to Type the Lambda Symbol ( λ ) on a Mac
Was this the only number system in Ancient Greece?
No.
Milesian numerals were just one numbering system used in Ancient Greece, albeit the most common one. Acrophonic numbers, another prominent system, worked much like Roman numerals.
(First published December 2025)