How many judges are on the United States Supreme Court?

The United States Supreme Court is composed of nine justices, which includes one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. This number has been set since 1869, when the Judiciary Act of 1869 established the total number of justices to be nine. The structure and composition of the Supreme Court are significant because it plays a critical role in interpreting the Constitution and federal laws, affecting the legal landscape of the nation.

This composition allows for a diverse range of opinions within the Court, which is essential for thorough deliberation on cases that can have far-reaching implications. Prior to the 1869 establishment of nine justices, the number of justices on the Supreme Court varied, which created an evolving practice in how the Court functioned and how justices were appointed. Understanding the fixed number of justices now serves as a foundational aspect of the judicial system in the United States.