What is the generally accepted time limit for ratification of amendments?

The generally accepted time limit for ratification of amendments to the U.S. Constitution is seven years. This timeframe is explicitly outlined in the Equal Rights Amendment, passed by Congress in 1972, which noted that ratification must occur within seven years. Although this seven-year limit is not a strict rule applied to all amendments, it has become a common benchmark for Congress when proposing new amendments. Nonetheless, the actual process of ratification is inherently flexible, as the Constitution does not require a specific time limit, but the seven-year guideline has been widely recognized and follows a precedent that has influenced subsequent amendments.