🏺 Numerals Maya Civilisation

Mayan Numerals Converter

Convert any number (0-7,999) to authentic Mayan dot-and-bar symbols. Each position in the base-20 vigesimal system is shown visually with its column value.

The Mayan numeral system used three symbols: a dot (1), a bar (5) and a shell (0). It was one of the first positional systems with a zero - centuries before Europe.

The Three Mayan Symbols

🔵 Dot
= 1
➖ Bar
= 5
🐚 Shell
= 0 (zero - a Mayan invention!)

Each glyph can represent 0-19. Bars stack up to 3 (= 15), then dots are added. A full glyph with 3 bars and 4 dots = 19.

🏺

Enter a number above

Mayan dot-and-bar symbols appear instantly.

How the Base-20 System Works

PositionPlace ValueMax digit
1st (bottom)119
2nd2019 × 20 = 380
3rd40019 × 400 = 7,600
4th8,00019 × 8,000 = 152,000

About Mayan Mathematics

The Maya developed one of the most sophisticated number systems in the ancient world, independently inventing the concept of zero around 350 AD - roughly 200 years before it appeared in India. The system is vigesimal (base 20), likely because the Maya counted both fingers and toes.

The 260-day sacred calendar (Tzolkin) and 365-day solar calendar (Haab) were both based on this numeral system. The famous Mayan Long Count calendar used it to track thousands of years.

Base
20 (vigesimal)
Zero invented
~350 AD
Region
Mesoamerica
Still used
Some communities