Johannes Brahms composed four symphonies.
Brahms's symphonies are numbered 1 through 4 and were written between 1876 and 1885. He was an exacting composer who worked cautiously in the symphonic tradition, especially under the shadow of Beethoven. Although he had sketched symphonic ideas earlier, his first completed symphony did not appear until he was in his forties.
The four works show a carefully developed musical progression. Symphony No. 1 in C minor was premiered in 1876, Symphony No. 2 in D major followed in 1877, and Symphony No. 3 in F major appeared in 1883. Symphony No. 4 in E minor, premiered in 1885, was his final symphony and is especially known for its passacaglia finale.
The answer is sometimes confused with the number of Brahms's concertos or other major orchestral works. He wrote four symphonies, but also two piano concertos, one violin concerto, and a Double Concerto for violin and cello. Unlike some prolific symphonists, Brahms never produced a Symphony No. 5.