How many states must ratify an amendment for it to become part of the Constitution?

For an amendment to become part of the Constitution, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states. This requirement is outlined in Article V of the Constitution, which establishes the process for amending the document. This process can occur in two ways: amendments can be proposed either by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures. However, regardless of how an amendment is proposed, it must receive approval from three-fourths of the states to be ratified. This is typically interpreted to mean 38 out of the 50 states. This high threshold ensures a broad consensus across the nation, reflecting the significant change that an amendment represents in the foundational legal framework of the country.