Roman Numerals

When identifying chords in music, they can be written as roman numerals.

The tonic triad or chord 1 is written (I).
The supertonic triad or chord 2 is written (II).
The mediant triad or chord 3 is written (III).
The subdominant triad or chord 4 is written (IV).
The dominant triad or chord 5 is written (V).
The submediant triad or chord 6 is written (VI).
The leading note triad or chord 7 is written (VII).

When chords are in different inversions an 'a', 'b' or a 'c' is written next to the chord. Root position chords are with an 'a' or no letter, first inversion chords are written with a 'b' and second inversion chords are written with a 'c'.

The chords in the picture below are written with their roman numerals.


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Here are some chords with inversions.


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Photo credit: Internet Archive Book Images via Foter.com / No known copyright restrictions

Baxter, Harry and Michael Baxter. The Right Way To Read Music. Tadworth: Right Way, 1993. Print, p. 64.

Taylor, E. (1990). Music Theory In Practice Grade 5. London: The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, pp. 30 to 32.