How Many Terms Can a President Serve
A U.S. president can be elected to the office a maximum of two times. Each elected term counts as one term, regardless of how much of the term is served. Under the 22nd Amendment, a person who has been elected twice cannot run again. A person who has served more than two years of a term to which someone else was elected may still be elected twice, though this is rare.
How Long Is a Presidential Term
A full presidential term lasts four years. The president takes office on January 20 following a November election. If a vice president or successor takes over mid-term and serves more than two years of that term, it counts as one full term toward the two-term limit. If they serve two years or less, it does not count as a full term.
Why the Two-Term Limit Exists
The two-term limit was added by the 22nd Amendment in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt won four terms. Before that, the two-term tradition came from George Washington. The amendment was designed to prevent any single person from holding the presidency for an extended period. For more details on the amendment, see the National Archives.
