How many chromosomes do people have?

People have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46 chromosomes. Each cell in humans contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. 22 of these pairs look the same in both females and males. These similar-looking chromosome pairs are called autosomes. The 23rd pair is the sex chromosome. This is different in females and males. Females have 2 copies of the X chromosome. Males have one X and one Y chromosome.