How many amendments does the Constitution currently have?

The Constitution of the United States has 27 amendments, which were added over a span of more than two centuries since its ratification in 1788. These amendments serve to address changes in society, protect individual rights, and clarify the functioning of government. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and are particularly vital as they establish fundamental liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. Subsequent amendments have followed, including significant ones that abolished slavery and granted women the right to vote. Therefore, recognizing that 27 is the definitive count of these formal changes to the Constitution is crucial for understanding the evolution of American law and rights.