How Many Terms Can a U.S. President Serve
Under the 22nd Amendment, a president can be elected to the office no more than twice. A person who has served more than two years of a term to which someone else was elected can still be elected twice, but total service is capped at ten years in most cases.
Term Limits and the 22nd Amendment
The 22nd Amendment was ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt won a third and fourth term. It established a clear two-term limit to prevent extended executive tenure. Before the amendment, informal two-term traditions set by George Washington guided presidential practice.
Exceptions and Special Cases
If a vice president or successor takes office and serves less than two years of the prior president's term, they may still run for two full terms, potentially serving up to ten years total. Detailed constitutional provisions are outlined by the National Archives.
