How many amendments are there to the Constitution?

The Constitution of the United States has 27 amendments. This count includes the original Bill of Rights, which encompasses the first ten amendments ratified in 1791, as well as additional amendments that have been added over the years to address various legal and societal issues. The most recent amendment, which deals with congressional pay changes, was ratified in 1992.

Understanding the total number of amendments is important because it reflects the evolving nature of the Constitution as a living document intended to adapt to contemporary issues while maintaining the foundational principles of American governance. The existence of more than 27, such as 20, 31, or 35, does not accurately represent the formal amendments ratified by the states and recognized in the Constitution.