How many total amendments are in the U.S. Constitution?

The U.S. Constitution has a total of twenty-seven amendments. The amendments serve to address various issues ranging from the rights of individuals to the structure of government. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and focus on protecting individual liberties and freedoms. Subsequent amendments have addressed topics such as the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, and the right to vote for 18-year-olds.

This number, twenty-seven, is significant in understanding the adaptability of the Constitution over time, as it allows for changes to be made in response to evolving societal values and norms. The process for amending the Constitution is deliberately rigorous, requiring a supermajority in Congress and ratification by a significant number of states, which highlights the importance of consensus in enacting such changes.