What is the maximum number of terms a U.S. President can serve?

The maximum number of terms a U.S. President can serve is two terms. This limit is established by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1951. The amendment was enacted in response to Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term presidency, which prompted concerns about the potential for the concentration of power in the executive branch.

Limiting the presidency to two terms ensures rotation in leadership and prevents any one individual from holding too much power for an extended period. Therefore, after the ratification of the 22nd Amendment, a President can serve a maximum of two four-year terms, totaling eight years in office. If a person were to complete more than two years of a predecessor's term, they could only be elected to one additional term, further solidifying this limit.