How many terms can a President serve?

The President of the United States can serve a maximum of two terms, as established by the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Ratified in 1951, this amendment was a response to Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term presidency, which set a precedent that many felt should not continue. Each presidential term lasts four years, so serving two terms means that a President can be in office for a total of eight years. This limitation was put in place to prevent any individual from accumulating too much power or extending their influence excessively over time. Consequently, while some Presidents have chosen not to run for a second term, the official limit remains two terms.