What is the difference between long term and short term capital gain?

The main difference between long-term and short-term capital gains is the length of time an asset is held before it is sold. Short-term capital gains are profits made on assets held for one year or less, while long-term capital gains are profits made on assets held for more than one year. The tax rates for these gains also differ, with long-term gains typically taxed at a lower rate than short-term gains.