How many amendments does the Constitution currently have?

The Constitution currently has 27 amendments. This number represents all the formal changes made to the original text since its ratification in 1788. The amendment process is outlined in Article V of the Constitution, which allows for amendments to be proposed either by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures. Since the Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments, was ratified in 1791, additional amendments have addressed a range of issues, including civil rights and governmental structure. The most recent amendment, which deals with congressional pay increases, was ratified in 1992, marking the culmination of the amendment process to date. This historical context underscores the significance and the deliberate nature of amending the Constitution, reflecting changes in societal values and political necessities over time.