How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution currently have?

The U.S. Constitution currently has 27 amendments. These amendments encompass a range of important civil rights and governmental procedures that have evolved since the Constitution was ratified in 1788. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were adopted in 1791 to guarantee individual freedoms and limit the powers of the government. Over the years, additional amendments have addressed various issues, such as the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, and voting rights. The process for amending the Constitution is intentionally rigorous, requiring significant consensus in Congress and among the states, which underscores the importance and lasting impact of the amendments that have been successfully ratified. Understanding this structure of amendments helps to highlight how the Constitution has adapted to changing societal needs while maintaining its foundational principles.