List of Presidents of the United States

How Many Presidents Have There Been?

There have been a total of 45 presidents. The list of presidents above has 47 rows due to the non-consecutive terms of Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump, but the number of individuals to have served as president is 45. For information about the order of the presidents please visit our Presidential Numbering page.

How is the President of the United States elected?

Every four years an election is held and all U.S. citizens age 18 and older are eligible to vote. This popular vote determines the makeup of the electoral college, which actually elects the president. The electoral college consists of 538 members, which is equal to the number of members of Congress each state has plus 3 for the District of Columbia. In all but two states the members of the electoral college (electors) are awarded to supporters of the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. Maine and Nebraska select electors based on who wins the popular vote in each congressional district and 2 electors are awarded based on the winner of the statewide popular vote. If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral vote the president is elected by the House of Representatives from among the three presidential candidates receiving the most electoral votes.

What are the qualifications to become President?

The U.S. Constitution has three main qualifications for president: (1) a natural born citizen, (2) 35 years of age, and (3) has resided in the United States for at least 14 years. In addition, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution limits the president to two terms in office, with the exception of a vice president who becomes president and serves more than two years of an unexpired term. In this case only one additional term is allowed. The president must also take an oath of office before assuming the duties of the office.

Can a President Be Removed from Office?

There are two ways in which a president can be removed from office (aside from death or resignation):

(1) Impeachment: The impeachment process charges the president of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanor and originates in the House of Representatives. If the House votes to approve the impeachment charges, the Senate holds a trial presided over by the Chief Justice to hear the evidence and each individual senator has one vote to convict or acquit. There have been three presidents impeached, but none were convicted and removed from office. For a list of presidents who have been impeached, please visit our Presidential Impeachments page.

(2) 25th Amendment: If the Vice President and majority of the Cabinet submit to Congress a written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President assumes the power and duties of the office as Acting President. The President may submit a written declaration that no inability exists, but if the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet disagree with the President’s declaration, Congress will determine by two-thirds vote whether or not the President will resume his powers and duties of the office.

What happens if a President dies in office, resigns, or is removed from office?

If a president dies, resigns or is removed from office after being convicted by the Senate through the impeachment process, the Vice President becomes president. If the office of Vice President is vacant, then the Speaker of the House of Representatives becomes president. The Order of Presidential Succession contains a complete list in order of the office holders who would assume the presidency if the office remains vacant.

All the US presidents by political parties, by age, by their vice president, as well as a numbered PDF formatted list can be viewed by clicking the green buttons below.