how many people signed the constitution

Thirty-nine people signed the U.S. Constitution.

Quick Scoop: How Many People Signed the Constitution?

On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates ultimately signed the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. This was out of a larger group of men who had been selected or involved in the Constitutional Convention, but not all agreed with the final document.

Key numbers at a glance

• 70 delegates were chosen to attend the Constitutional Convention.

• 55 actually took part in the convention at some point.

• Usually no more than about 46 were present at any one time.

• 41 delegates were present on the final day for signing.

• 38 of those present signed the document themselves.

• 1 additional signature was added by proxy (George Read signing for John Dickinson), bringing the total to 39 signers.

In short, when people ask “how many people signed the Constitution,” the historically accepted answer is 39 individuals.

Who Didn’t Sign (But Could Have)?

Not everyone in the room agreed to put their name on the new framework of government.

• George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge Gerry refused to sign, voicing concerns that would later energize the Anti-Federalist opposition.

• John Dickinson was absent due to illness but authorized his colleague George Read to sign on his behalf.

Their objections helped fuel the later push for a Bill of Rights, which became a crucial part of the Constitution’s acceptance by the states.

Mini Timeline Context

• May–September 1787: Delegates debate in Philadelphia, initially to revise the Articles of Confederation but ultimately draft an entirely new Constitution.

• September 15, 1787: Delegates approve the final draft. A clerk, Jacob Shallus, engrosses (carefully hand-copies) the Constitution on parchment.

• September 17, 1787: The engrossed document is ready, and 39 delegates sign it, with George Washington signing first as president of the Convention.

Small “Story” to Remember It

Imagine the Convention as a big, contentious group chat in 1787:

• About 70 people were added to the chat, but only 55 really participated.

• As the arguments got heated, some muted the conversation or left.
• On “Constitution Signing Day,” 41 showed up in person, 3 refused to hit “accept,” and 1 had a friend tap “agree” for him—leaving 39 names on the final “terms and conditions” of the new government.

TL;DR:
A total of 39 individuals are recognized as the signers of the U.S. Constitution.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.