How many amendments are there to the Constitution?

The Constitution of the United States has a total of twenty-seven amendments. These amendments have been added since the original Constitution was ratified in 1788, with the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, being adopted in 1791. Each amendment addresses different aspects of governance and individual rights, reflecting the changing needs and values of society over time.

The process for amending the Constitution is intentionally rigorous, requiring either a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress or a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the states. This ensures that only amendments with significant support are formally added to the Constitution. The correct number of amendments reflects the evolving nature of the government and the recognition of new rights and issues as the nation has developed.