List of best-selling albums

Platinum record for Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982), the best-selling album of all time.

This is a list of the world's best-selling albums of recorded music. To appear on the list, the figure must have been published by a reliable source and the album must have sold at least 20 million copies. This list can contain any types of album, including studio albums, extended plays, greatest hits, compilations, various artists, soundtracks and remixes. The figures given do not take into account the resale of used albums.^[a]

All albums included on this list have their available claimed figures supported by at least 30% in certified copies. The percentage amount of certified sales needed increases the newer the album is, so albums released before 1975 are only expected to have their claimed figures supported by at least 30% in certified copies. However, newer albums, such as 21 and Come Away with Me, are expected to have their claimed figures supported by at least 70% in certified copies. Certified copies are sourced from available online databases of local music industry associations. This is the reason why albums that would otherwise make the list, such as The Sound of Music, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Parallel Lines, Spirits Having Flown, Private Dancer, Janet, Believe, Bolo Ta Ra Ra.., Human Clay, Laundry Service and Back to Black, have not been included.

As a result of the methodology that the American and Canadian certification-awarding bodies (the RIAA and Music Canada respectively) use, each disc in a multi-disc set is counted as one unit toward certification, leading to many double albums on the list—such as Pink Floyd's The Wall and the Beatles' The Beatles—being certified with a number double the number of copies sold there. Such albums have the certifications for the number of copies (not discs) shipped indicated. Conversely, the American certification level for double albums that fit onto one compact disc, such as the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack reflect the actual number of copies sold. In 2016, RIAA included streaming in addition to track sales and album sales based on the concept of album-equivalent unit for certification purposes, and certification therefore no longer reflects shipment alone.^[1]^[2] For example, in the update of the certification for Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) by the Eagles in August 2018, the album was certified 38× Platinum (increasing from the previous 29× Platinum certification in 2006) based on the new criteria, making it then the album with the highest certification in the United States.^[3]

Michael Jackson's Thriller, estimated to have sold 70 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album.^[4]^[5]^[6] Although sales estimates for Thriller have been as high as 120 million copies, these sales figures are unreliable.^[7] Jackson also currently has the highest number of albums on the list with five, Celine Dion has four, while the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Madonna and Whitney Houston each have three.

Groupings are based on different sales benchmarks, the highest being for claims of at least 40 million copies, and the lowest being for claims of 20–29 million copies. Albums are listed in order of number of copies sold and thereafter by the artist's first name. Markets' order within the table is based on the number of compact discs sold in each market, largest market at the top and smallest at the bottom.^[8]

Legend

Colors
	Studio albums
	Greatest hits and compilations
	Soundtracks
	Live albums

40 million copies or more

*All sales figures are shown in millions

Artist	Album	Released	Genre	Total certified copies (from available markets)*	Claimed sales*	Ref(s)
Michael Jackson	Thriller	1982	Pop, post-disco, funk, rock	49.2 US: 34 million^[9] JPN: 100,000^[10] UK: 4.5 million^[11] GER: 1.5 million^[12] FRA: 1 million^[13] CAN: 2 million^[14] AUS: 1.12 million^[15] MEX: 1.6 million^[16] NLD: 800,000^[17] ITA: 100,000^[18] SWE: 400,000^[19] ARG: 500,000^[20] SWI: 300,000^[21] AUT: 400,000^[22] FIN: 119,061^[23] NZ: 180,000^[24]^[25] HKG: 15,000^[26] DEN: 480,000^[27] DEN: 60,000^[28] HUN: 6,000^[29] POR: 40,000^[30]	70	^[4]^[5]
AC/DC	Back in Black	1980	Hard rock	29.6 US: 25 million^[9] UK: 600,000^[11] GER: 1 million^[12] FRA: 600,000^[13] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 840,000^[15] ITA: 150,000^[18] ARG: 180,000^[31] SWI: 100,000^[21] AUT: 50,000^[22]	50	^[32]
Whitney Houston / various artists	The Bodyguard	1992	R&B, soul, pop, soundtrack	32.4 US: 18 million^[9] JPN: 3 million^[33] UK: 2.25 million^[11] GER: 1.75 million^[12] FRA: 1.72 million^[13] CAN: 1.4 million^[14] AUS: 350,000^[15] BRA: 1.2 million^[34] NLD: 400,000^[17] SWE: 350,000^[19] SPA: 800,000^[35] ARG: 350,000^[31] SWI: 310,000^[21] AUT: 220,000^[22] NOR: 200,000^[36] FIN: 100,000^[23]	45	^[37]
Meat Loaf	Bat Out of Hell	1977	Hard rock, glam rock, progressive rock	21.7 US: 14 million^[9] UK: 3.3 million^[11] GER: 500,000^[12] CAN: 2 million^[14] AUS: 1.68 million^[15] NZ: 255,000^[38]	44	^[39]
Eagles	Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)	1976	Country rock, soft rock, folk rock	41.2 US: 38 million^[9] UK: 600,000^[11] CAN: 2 million^[14] AUS: 560,000^[15] IFPI HKG: 15,000^[26]	44	^[40]
Pink Floyd	The Dark Side of the Moon	1973	Progressive rock	24.4 US: 15 million^[9] UK: 4.2 million^[11] GER: 1 million^[12] FRA: 400,000^[13] CAN: 2 million^[14] AUS: 980,000^[15] ITA: 250,000^[18] ARG: 120,000^[31] POL: 70,000^[41] AUT: 100,000^[22] NZ: 240,000^[38]	44	^[42]
Eagles	Hotel California	1976	Soft rock	31.5 US: 26 million^[9] UK: 1.8 million^[11] GER: 500,000^[12] FRA: 1 million^[13] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 560,000^[15] SPA: 400,000^[35] SWI: 100,000^[21] AUT: 25,000^[22] FIN: 30,933^[23] NZ: 135,000^[24] HKG: 15,000^[26]	42	^[43]
Bee Gees / Various artists	Saturday Night Fever	1977	Disco	21.6 US: 16 million^[9] UK: 2.1 million^[11] GER: 1.5 million^[12] FRA: 200,000^[13] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 770,000^[44] HKG: 15,000^[26]	40	^[45]^[46]
Fleetwood Mac	Rumours	1977	Soft rock	27.9 US: 20 million^[9] UK: 3.3 million^[11] GER: 1.25 million^[12] FRA: 300,000^[47] CAN: 2 million^[14] AUS: 910,000^[15] NZ: 150,000^[48] HKG: 15,000^[26]	40	^[49]^[50]
Shania Twain	Come On Over	1997	Country, pop	29.6 US: 20 million^[9] JPN: 100,000 ^[10] UK: 3.3 million^[11] GER: 750,000^[12] FRA: 300,000^[47] CAN: 2 million^[14] AUS: 1.05 million^[15] BRA: 100,000^[34] MEX: 100,000^[16] NLD: 400,000^[17] ITA: 50,000^[18] SWE 180,000^[19] SPA: 100,000^[35] BEL: 100,000^[51]^[52] ARG: 120,000^[31] SWI: 150,000^[21] AUT: 25,000^[22] NOR: 300,000^[36] DEN: 100,000^[53] FIN: 38,958^[23] NZ: 315,000^[25]	40	^[54]

30–39 million copies

*All sales figures are shown in millions

Artist	Album	Released	Genre	Total certified copies (from available markets)*	Claimed sales*	Ref(s)
Various artists	Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture	1978	Rock and roll	14.4 US: 8 million^[9] UK: 2.4 million^[11] GER: 1.25 million^[12] FRA: 400,000^[13] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 980,000^[15] SPA: 300,000^[35] SWI: 25,000^[21] NZ: 15,000^[24] HKG: 15,000^[26]	38	^[55]
Led Zeppelin	Led Zeppelin IV	1971	Hard rock, heavy metal, folk rock	29.0 US: 24 million^[9] UK: 1.8 million^[11] GER: 750,000^[12] FRA: 600,000^[47] CAN: 2 million^[14] AUS: 630,000^[15] BRA: 100,000^[34] NLD: 100,000^[17] ARG: 60,000^[31] SWI: 50,000^[21]	37	^[56]
Michael Jackson	Bad	1987	Pop, rhythm and blues, funk and rock	21.1 US: 11 million^[9] UK: 4.2 million^[11] GER: 2 million^[12] FRA: 1 million^[13] CAN: 700,000^[14] AUS: 420,000^[15] MEX: 350,000^[16] SPA: 300,000^[35] SWE: 200,000^[19] SWI:100,000^[57] AUT: 200,000^[22] NZ: 135,000^[58] FIN: 51,287^[23] IFPI HKG: 15,000^[26] DEN: 80,000^[59] JPN: 100,000^[60] NLD: 100,000^[61] NOR: 100,000^[62] POR: 40,000^[63]	35	^[64]^[65]^[66]
Alanis Morissette	Jagged Little Pill	1995	Alternative rock	24.3 US: 16 million^[9] UK: 3 million^[11] GER: 1 million^[12] FRA: 300,000^[47] CAN: 2 million^[14] AUS: 980,000^[15] NLD: 400,000^[17] SWE 200,000^[19] BRA: 100,000^[34] ARG: 60,000^[31] POL: 50,000^[41] SWI: 50,000^[21] NOR: 50,000^[36] AUT: 100,000^[22] FIN: 65,860^[23]	33	^[67]^[68]
Michael Jackson	Dangerous	1991	New jack swing, R&B and pop	17.0 US: 8 million^[9] JPN: 400,000^[10] UK: 1.8 million^[11] GER: 2 million^[12] FRA: 1 million^[47] CAN: 600,000^[14] AUS: 700,000^[15] BRA: 100,000^[34] MEX: 600,000^[16] NLD: 300,000^[17] SWE 300,000^[19] SPA: 600,000^[35] SWI: 250,000^[21] AUT: 200,000^[22] DEN: 50,000^[69] FIN: 61,896^[23] NZ: 90,000^[25]	32	^[70]
Celine Dion	Falling into You	1996	Pop, soft rock	21.1 US: 12 million^[9] JPN: 800,000^[10] UK: 2.1 million^[11] GER: 1.25 million^[12] FRA: 1 million^[47] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 910,000^[15] BRA: 100,000^[34] NLD: 600,000^[17] SWE: 200,000^[19] SPA: 200,000^[35] BEL: 200,000^[51] ARG: 60,000^[31] POL: 100,000^[41] SWI: 150,000^[21] NOR: 150,000^[36] AUT: 100,000^[22] FIN: 51,952^[23] NZ: 180,000^[24] HUN: 25,000^[71]	32	^[72]
The Beatles	Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band	1967	Rock	18.2 US: 11 million^[9] UK: 5.1 million^[11] GER: 500,000^[12] CAN: 800,000^[14] AUS: 280,000^[15] BRA: 100,000^[34] ARG: 300,000^[31] NZ: 90,000^[25]	32	^[73]
Various artists	Dirty Dancing	1987	Pop, rock, R&B	17.9 US: 11 million^[9] UK: 1.5 million^[11] GER: 2 million^[12] FRA: 1 million^[13] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 770,000^[15] BRA: 100,000^[34] NLD: 100,000^[17] SWE 100,000^[19] POL: 50,000^[41] SWI: 250,000^[21] HKG: 7,500^[26]	32	^[74]
Adele	21	2011	Pop, soul	26.4 US: 14 million^[9] JPN: 100,000^[75] UK: 6 million^[76] GER: 1.6 million^[12] CAN: 800,000^[14] AUS: 980,000^[15] MEX: 300,000^[16] NLD: 450,000^[77] ITA: 480,000^[18] SWE: 120,000^[78] SPA: 300,000^[35] ARG: 80,000^[79] BEL: 180,000^[52] POL: 200,000^[41] SWI: 40,000^[21] NOR: 30,000^[80] AUT: 20,000^[22] RUS: 10,000^[81] DEN: 150,000^[82] POR: 40,000^[83] FIN: 83,234^[23] IRE: 270,000^[84] GRE: 6,000^[85] HUN: 12,000^[86] NZ: 180,000^[87]	31	^[88]
Celine Dion	Let's Talk About Love	1997	Pop, soft rock	19.3 US: 10 million^[9] JPN: 1 million^[10] UK: 1.8 million^[11] GER: 1.5 million^[12] FRA: 1 million^[47] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 420,000^[15] NLD: 500,000^[17] SWE: 240,000^[19] SPA: 400,000^[35] BEL: 200,000^[51] ARG: 120,000^[31] POL: 200,000^[41] SWI: 300,000^[21] NOR: 200,000^[36] AUT: 100,000^[22] FIN: 97,744^[23] NZ: 135,000^[89] HKG: 40,000^[26] URY: 3,000^[90]	31	^[91]
Metallica	Metallica	1991	Heavy metal	25.2 US: 16.83 million^[9] UK: 900,000^[11] GER: 1,500,000^[12] FRA: 487,500^[13] CAN: 2 million^[14] AUS: 840,000^[15] MEX: 600,000^[16] NLD: 200,000^[17] ITA: 100,000^[18] SWE 200,000^[19] ARG: 300,000^[31] POL: 2 00,000^[41] SWI: 150,000^[21] NOR: 100,000^[36] AUT: 100,000^[22] FIN: 118,856^[23] NZ: 150,000^[25]	31	^[92]
The Beatles	1	2000	Rock	23.5 US: 12 million^[9] JPN: 2 million^[10] UK: 3.3 million^[11] GER: 1.65 million^[12] FRA: 600,000^[47] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 700,000^[15] BRA: 250,000^[34] ITA: 50,000^[18] SWE 160,000^[19] SPA: 500,000^[35] ARG: 120,000^[31] POL: 100,000^[41] SWI: 150,000^[21] NOR: 150,000^[36] AUT: 150,000^[22] DEN: 200,000^[93] POR: 120,000^[94] FIN: 77,466^[23] NZ: 225,000^[24]	31	^[95]
The Beatles	Abbey Road	1969	Rock	14.4 US: 12 million^[9] GER: 500,000^[12] FRA: 150,000^[13] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 210,000^[15] ARG: 500,000^[20] NZ: 75,000^[25]	31	^[96]
ABBA	Gold: Greatest Hits	1992	Pop, disco	23.0 US: 6 million^[9] JPN: 600,000^[97] UK: 5.4 million^[11] GER: 2.5 million^[12] FRA: 1 million^[47] RUS: 10,000^[98] MEX: 250,000^[16] CAN: 1 million^[14] BRA: 100,000^[34] AUS: 1.19 million^[15] IND: 20,000^[99] ITA: 270,000^[18]^[99] SPA: 500,000^[35] NLD: 300,000^[99] SAF: 50,000^[99] SWE 500,000^[19] SWI: 500,000^[21] ARG: 240,000^[31] BEL: 350,000^[51] THL: 20,000^[99] NOR: 150,000^[99] AUT: 150,000^[22] DEN: 300,000^[99] KOR: 100,000^[99] TWN: 210,000^[99] POL: 100,000^[41] IRE: 90,000^[99] FIN: 145,962^[23] POR: 100,000^[94]^[99] NZ: 240,000^[24] HKG: 120,000^[99] SGP: 165,000^[99] HUN: 100,000^[99] CHI: 60,000^[99] ISR: 40,000^[99] CZE: 30,000^[99] MAL: 100,000^[99] VEN: 5,000^[99] ICL: 5,000^[99]	30	^[100]
Bruce Springsteen	Born in the U.S.A.	1984	Heartland rock	19.6 US: 15 million^[9] UK: 900,000^[11] GER: 1 million^[12] FRA: 400,000^[47] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 910,000^[15] FIN: 108,913^[23] NZ: 240,000^[24]	30	^[101]
Madonna	The Immaculate Collection	1990	Pop, dance	19.5 US: 10 million^[9] JPN: 800,000^[10] UK: 3.6 million^[11] GER: 750,000^[12] FRA: 1 million^[13] CAN: 700,000^[14] AUS: 840,000^[102] BRA: 500,000^[34] NLD: 300,000^[17] SWE 50,000^[19] SPA: 300,000^[35] ARG: 360,000^[31] SWI: 50,000^[21] AUT: 50,000^[22] DEN: 50,000^[103] FIN: 92,500^[23] NZ: 105,000^[24]	30	^[104]
Pink Floyd	The Wall	1979	Progressive rock	18.7 US: 11.5 million^[9] UK: 600,000^[11] GER: 2 million^[12] FRA: 1 million^[13] CAN: 2 million^[14] AUS: 770,000^[15] ITA: 200,000^[18] ARG: 200,000^[105] POL: 70,000^[41] SWI: 100,000^[21] NZ: 210,000^[24] HKG: 15,000^[26]	30	^[106]
James Horner	Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture	1997	Film score	18.1 US: 11 million^[9] JPN: 1 million^[107] UK: 900,000^[11] GER: 1.25 million^[12] FRA: 1 million^[13] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 350,000^[15] NLD: 175,000^[17] SWE 160,000^[19] SPA: 400,000^[35] BEL: 150,000^[51] POL: 140,000^[41] ARG: 60,000^[31] SWI: 200,000^[21] AUT: 100,000^[22] NOR: 100,000^[36] FIN: 73,509^[23] NZ: 60,000^[108] HKG: 20,000^[26]	30	^[109]
Dire Straits	Brothers in Arms	1985	Roots rock, blues rock, soft rock	17.7 US: 9 million^[9] UK: 4.1 million^[11] GER: 500,000^[12] FRA: 1 million^[47] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 1.19 million^[15] ARG: 30,000^[31] SWI: 350,000^[21] FIN: 116,784^[23] NZ: 360,000^[38] HKG: 15,000^[26]	30	^[110]^[111]
Nirvana	Nevermind	1991	Grunge, alternative rock	16.7 US: 10 million^[9] JPN: 600,000^[97] UK: 1.2 million^[11] GER: 1 million^[12] FRA: 1 million^[13] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 350,000^[15] BRA: 250,000^[34] MEX: 200,000^[16] ITA: 100,000^[18] SWE 200,000^[19] ARG: 300,000^[31] BEL: 150,000^[52] POL: 100,000^[41] SWI: 50,000^[21] AUT: 50,000^[22] FIN: 46,830^[23] NZ: 105,000^[24]	30	^[112]
Santana	Supernatural	1999	Latin rock	20.5 US: 15 million^[9] JPN: 200,000 ^[10] UK: 600,000^[11] GER: 1 million^[12] FRA: 600,000^[47] CAN: 1 million^[14] AUS: 280,000^[15] BRA: 250,000^[34] MEX: 300,000^[16] NLD: 200,000^[17] SWE 80,000^[19] SPA: 300,000^[35] BEL: 100,000^[51] ARG: 120,000^[31] POL: 100,000^[41] SWI: 200,000^[21] AUT: 100,000^[22] FIN: 50,291^[23] NZ: 60,000^[24]	30	^[113]
Guns N' Roses	Appetite for Destruction	1987	Hard rock	21.9 US: 18 million^[9] JPN: 200,000^[10] UK: 1,200,000^[11] GER: 500,000^[12] FRA: 200,000^[47] CAN: 1 million^[14] BRA: 250,000^[34] MEX: 100,000^[16] ITA: 50,000^[18] SWE 50,000^[19] ARG: 180,000^[31] SWI: 50,000^[21] AUT: 50,000^[22] FIN: 25,000^[23]	30	^[114]^[115]
Elton John	Goodbye Yellow Brick Road	1973	rock, pop rock, glam rock	8.5 US: 8 million^[9] UK: 300,000^[11] AUS: 210,000^[116] NZ: 15,000^[117]	30	^[118]^[119]

20–29 million copies

*All sales figures are shown in millions

Artist	Album	Released	Genre	Claimed sales*	Ref(s)
Bon Jovi	Slippery When Wet	1986	Hard rock, glam metal	28	^[120]
Mariah Carey	Music Box	1993	Pop, R&B	28	^[121]
Linkin Park	Hybrid Theory	2000	Nu metal, rap metal, alternative metal	27	^[122]
Eminem	The Eminem Show	2002	Hip hop	27	^[123]^[124]
Norah Jones	Come Away with Me	2002	Jazz	27	^[125]
Eric Clapton	Unplugged	1992	Acoustic rock, acoustic blues	26	^[126]
Britney Spears	...Baby One More Time	1999	Pop	25	^[127]
Bob Marley & The Wailers	Legend: The Best of Bob Marley & The Wailers	1984	Reggae	25	^[128]
Carole King	Tapestry	1971	Pop	25	^[129]
Phil Collins	No Jacket Required	1985	Pop rock	25	^[130]
Queen	Greatest Hits	1981	Rock	25	^[131]
Madonna	True Blue	1986	Pop, dance	25	^[132]
Simon & Garfunkel	Bridge over Troubled Water	1970	Folk rock	25	^[133]
U2	The Joshua Tree	1987	Rock	25	^[134]
Prince and The Revolution	Purple Rain	1984	Pop rock, new wave, R&B	25	^[135]
George Michael	Faith	1987	Pop, R&B, funk, soul	25	^[136]
Elton John	Greatest Hits	1974	Pop	24	^[137]
Backstreet Boys	Backstreet's Back / Backstreet Boys	1997	Pop	24	^[138]
Backstreet Boys	Millennium	1999	Pop	24	^[138]
Spice Girls	Spice	1996	Pop	23	^[139]^[140]
Ace of Base	Happy Nation/The Sign	1993	Pop	23	^[141]
Celine Dion	All the Way... A Decade of Song	1999	Pop	22	^[142]
Whitney Houston	Whitney Houston	1985	Pop, R&B	22	^[143]
Fugees	The Score	1996	Alternative hip hop	22	^[144]^[145]^[146]
Oasis	(What's the Story) Morning Glory?	1995	Britpop, rock	22	^[147]
Michael Jackson	HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I	1995	R&B, pop and hip hop	22	^[148]
Adele	25	2015	Soul, pop, R&B	22	^[149]
Madonna	Like a Virgin	1984	Pop, dance	21	^[150]
Eminem	The Marshall Mathers LP	2000	Hip hop	21	^[151]
Bon Jovi	Cross Road	1994	Hard rock, glam metal	21	^[152]
Michael Jackson	Off the Wall	1979	Disco, pop, funk and R&B	20	^[153]
Lauryn Hill	The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill	1998	Neo Soul, R&B and Hip Hop	20	^[154]^[155]^[156]
Boston	Boston	1976	Arena rock, hard rock	20	^[157]
Britney Spears	Oops!... I Did It Again	2000	Pop	20	^[158]
Celine Dion	The Colour of My Love	1993	Pop	20	^[159]
Def Leppard	Hysteria	1987	Hard rock, glam metal	20	^[160]
Elvis Presley	Elvis' Christmas Album	1957	Christmas, pop, gospel, rock and roll	25 20	^[161]^[162]^[163]
Green Day	Dookie	1994	Pop punk, punk rock, alternative rock	20	^[164]
Lionel Richie	Can't Slow Down	1983	Pop, R&B, soul	20	^[165]
Mariah Carey	Daydream	1995	Pop, R&B	20	^[166]
Pink Floyd	Wish You Were Here	1975	Progressive rock, art rock, experimental rock	20	^[167]
Shania Twain	The Woman in Me	1995	Country, pop	20	^[168]
Supertramp	Breakfast in America	1979	Progressive rock, art rock	20	^[169]
Tracy Chapman	Tracy Chapman	1988	Folk rock	20	^[170]
Various artists	Flashdance: Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture	1983	Electro, synthpop	20	^[171]
Whitney Houston	Whitney	1987	Pop, R&B	20	^[172]
The Who	Tommy	1969	Hard rock, rock opera	20	^[173]
Andrea Bocelli	Romanza	1997	Operatic pop, pop	20	^[174]

Timeline of the best-selling albums

Timeline of the highest-selling album record
Year record set	Artist	Album	Record setting sales (millions)	Total sales (millions)	Ref(s)
1945	Various Artists	Oklahoma! (78 rpm album)	0.5	1.0	^[175]^[176]
After 1946	Al Jolson	The Jolson Story	1		^[177]
1956	Various Artists	Oklahoma! (LP album)	1.75	2.5	^[178]
1956/1957	Various Artists	My Fair Lady	2	5	^[179]^[180]^[181]
1960	Various Artists	South Pacific	2.25	3	^[182]
1963	Vaughn Meader	The First Family	4	7.5	^[183]^[184]
1968	Various Artists	The Sound of Music	8^WW		^[185]
1973	Carole King	Tapestry	10+		^[186]
1975/1976	Various Artists	The Sound of Music	10–15^SM-T		^[187]^[188]
1976	Carole King	Tapestry	13.5^SM-T	25	^[189]
1979	Bee Gees/Various Artists	Saturday Night Fever	25–27	40	^[190]^[191]
1984	Michael Jackson	Thriller	35	70	^[6]^[192]

Notes

^WWIt is unclear whether this sales figure refers to worldwide sales or US sales.
^SM-TThe exact year in which Tapestry regained the title of "best-selling album of all-time", if it ever regained it at all, is unclear. The album's 1976 sales claim is therefore only listed to be inclusive, as it is plausible that Tapestry had overtaken The Sound of Music in sales during this time period.

Best-selling album by year worldwide

The charts of the best-selling albums by year in the world are compiled by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry annually since 2001. These charts are published in their two annual reports, the Digital Music Report and the Recording Industry in Numbers. Both the Digital Music Report and the Recording Industry in Numbers were replaced in 2016 by the Global Music Report.^[193]

Units sold include physical copies and digital downloads.

Year	Album	Artist(s)	Sales (millions)	Ref(s)
2001	Hybrid Theory	Linkin Park	8.5	^[194]
2002	The Eminem Show	Eminem	13.9	^[195]
2003	Come Away with Me	Norah Jones	18.0	^[196]^[197]
2004	Confessions	Usher	12.0	^[198]
2005	X&Y	Coldplay	8.3	^[199]
2006	High School Musical	Various Artists	7.0	^[200]
2007	High School Musical 2	Various Artists	6.0	^[201]
2008	Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends	Coldplay	6.8	^[202]
2009	I Dreamed a Dream	Susan Boyle	8.3	^[203]
2010	Recovery	Eminem	5.7	^[204]
2011	21	Adele	18.1	^[195]
2012	21	Adele	8.3	^[205]
2013	Midnight Memories	One Direction	4.0	^[206]
2014	Frozen	Various Artists	9.0	^[207]
2015	25	Adele	17.4	^[208]
2016	Lemonade	Beyoncé	2.5	^[209]
2017	÷	Ed Sheeran	6.1	^[210]
2018	The Greatest Showman	Hugh Jackman & Various Artists	3.5	^[211]
2019	5x20 All the Best!! 1999–2019	Arashi	3.3	^[212]
2020	Map of the Soul: 7	BTS	4.8	^[213]

Notes

^
To be on this list, albums released:
- before 1975 are required to have their claimed sales figures supported by 30% in certified units.
- between 1975 and 1990 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 30–50% in certified units. (That is 1.33% for each additional year after 1975.)
- between 1990 and 2000 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 50–60% in certified units. (That is 1% for each additional year after 1990.)
- in 2000 and onwards are required to have their claimed figures supported by 60–80% in certified units. (That is 1.33% for each additional year after 2000.)

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Bat Out of Hell worldwide sales:
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Falling into You worldwide sales:
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Let's Talk About Love worldwide sales:
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[year-1] To be on this list, albums released:
before 1975 are required to have their claimed sales figures supported by 30% in certified units.

between 1975 and 1990 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 30–50% in certified units. (That is 1.33% for each additional year after 1975.)

between 1990 and 2000 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 50–60% in certified units. (That is 1% for each additional year after 1990.)

in 2000 and onwards are required to have their claimed figures supported by 60–80% in certified units. (That is 1.33% for each additional year after 2000.)

[2] re 1975 are required to have their claimed sales figures supported by 30% in certified units.

[3] tween 1975 and 1990 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 30–50% in certified units. (That is 1.33% for each additional year after 1975.)

[4] tween 1990 and 2000 are required to have their claimed figures supported by 50–60% in certified units. (That is 1% for each additional year after 1990.)

[5] 2000 and onwards are required to have their claimed figures supported by 60–80% in certified units. (That is 1.33% for each additional year after 2000.)

[2] "RIAA Debuts Album Award with Streams". RIAA. February 1, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2018.

[3] "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2018.

[4] "RIAA: Eagles' Greatest Hits Certified 38x Platinum, Passing 'Thriller'". Billboard. Associated Press. August 20, 2018. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.

[bbc.com-5] "Adele's 21 overtakes sales of Thriller in UK album list". BBC News. May 4, 2012. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.

[zeenews.india.com-6] "MJ nearly scrapped 'Thriller' release | Music News | Zee News". September 26, 2020. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020.

[Guinness-7] "Best-selling album". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2017.

[The_New_Yorker_January_4-8] Wyman, Bill (January 4, 2013). "Did Michael Jackson's Thriller Really Sell a Hundred Million Copies?". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2013.

[31._Global_Sales_of_Recorded_Music_by_Country_in_2010_(page_24)-9] "31. Global Sales of Recorded Music by Country in 2010 (page 24)" (PDF). RIAJ. 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012.

[RIAA_Certification_Database-10] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag "RIAA: Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2016.

[The_Record-11] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ "Publications > The Record". Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived (PDF) from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2013.

[BPI_certifications-12] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2018.

[German_Certification_Database-13] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Gold-/Platin-Datenbank')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 6, 2011.

[InfoDisc_Les_Certifications_depuis_1973_(albums)-14] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o "InfoDisc: Les Certifications depuis 1973" [InfoDisc: Certifications from 1973]. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). InfoDisc.fr. Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2009.

[Canada_Music_Certification_Database-15] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af "Music Canada: Gold & Platinum search". Music Canada. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2018.

[Australian_Certifications-16] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac "ARIA Charts – Accreditations". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2009.

[AMPROFON_Certification_Database-17] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j "AMPROFON: Certificaciones". AMPROFON. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2011.

[Dutch_Certifications-18] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m "Dutch Certifications" (in Dutch). NVPI. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.

[FIMI_Certification_Database-19] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k "F.I.M.I: Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana". Federation of the Italian Music Industry (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2011.

[Swedish_Certifications-20] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q "Guld & Platina IFPI" [Gold & Platinum IFPI] (in Swedish). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry – Sweden. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2009.

[CAPIF_Diamond_awards-21] "Premio Diamante: Los premiados" (in Spanish). CAPIF. Archived from the original on March 18, 2005. Retrieved September 16, 2012.

[Swiss_Certification_Database-22] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w "Hitparade.ch: Edelmetall". Schweizer Hitparade. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2011.

[Austrian_Certifications-23] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t "IFPI Austria : Gold & Platin" (in German). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2009.

[Finnish_Certifications_Database-24] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t "Tilastot: Kulta- ja platinalevyt". Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Archived from the original on October 10, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.

[New_Zealand_Certifications-25] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k "RIANZ: The Official New Zealand Music Chart". RIANZ. Archived from the original on November 27, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2011.

[NZ_Album_Certifications_2007-July_2011-26] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Gold / Platinum Albums". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2012.

[Hong_Kong_Gold_Disc_Award-27] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l "IFPIHKG Awards". IFPI. Archived from the original on December 26, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.

[28] "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[29] "Michael Jackson "Thriller" | IFPI". Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.

[30] "Adatbázis - Arany- és platinalemezek - Hivatalos magyar slágerlisták". Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.

[31] AFP - Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa

[Archived_CAPIF_certifications_to_2010-32] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r "Discos de oro y platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2012.

[33] Partridge, Kenneth (July 25, 2015). "AC/DC's 'Back In Black' at 35: Classic Track-by-Track Album Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2015.

[RIAJ_History_1990-1999-34] "Recording Industry Association of Japan - The History of music recordings industry during the 1990s" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2012.

[Brazil's_Certification_Database-35] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ "ABPD: Certificados" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2013.

[Spanish_Certifications-36] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ "Spanish Certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.

[Norwegian_Certifications-37] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved July 30, 2012.

[38] The Bodyguard Soundtrack worldwide sales:
Kimberly, Nordyke (October 30, 2017). "American Music Awards: Christina Aguilera to Honor Whitney Houston With 'Bodyguard' Tribute". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

Patrick, Ryan (November 9, 2017). "Exclusive: Whitney Houston's 'Bodyguard' turns 25 with never-before-seen performance". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

Chuck, Crisafulli (May 15, 2017). "Deep 10: Whitney Houston's The Bodyguard — Original Soundtrack Album". Grammy. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

Zach, Johnson (October 30, 2017). "Christina Aguilera Will Honor Whitney Houston and The Bodyguard's 25th Anniversary at the 2017 AMAs". E! News. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

Bianca, Garwood (October 13, 2017). "Whitney Houston Estate to Reissue 'The Bodyguard' Soundtrack for 25th Anniversary". Ebony. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

[43] Kimberly, Nordyke (October 30, 2017). "American Music Awards: Christina Aguilera to Honor Whitney Houston With 'Bodyguard' Tribute". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

[44] Patrick, Ryan (November 9, 2017). "Exclusive: Whitney Houston's 'Bodyguard' turns 25 with never-before-seen performance". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

[45] Chuck, Crisafulli (May 15, 2017). "Deep 10: Whitney Houston's The Bodyguard — Original Soundtrack Album". Grammy. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

[46] Zach, Johnson (October 30, 2017). "Christina Aguilera Will Honor Whitney Houston and The Bodyguard's 25th Anniversary at the 2017 AMAs". E! News. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

[47] Bianca, Garwood (October 13, 2017). "Whitney Houston Estate to Reissue 'The Bodyguard' Soundtrack for 25th Anniversary". Ebony. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

[Seven_Top_Certified_New_Zealand_Albums_2007-39] Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts 1966–2006. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. ISBN 978-1-877443-00-8. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.

[40] Bat Out of Hell worldwide sales:
Olmsted, Larry (May 4, 2018). "Hit Record Becomes Hit Play: Music Lovers Will Love Bat Out Of Hell". Forbes. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.

Hall, James (June 20, 2017). "The best-selling album nobody wanted to release: how Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf made Bat Out of Hell". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on June 24, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2019.

Petkovic, John (August 12, 2019). "'Bat Out of Hell' Hits the Stage: An Album Born in Cleveland Is Now a Musical (Photos)". Cleveland International Records. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.

[50] Olmsted, Larry (May 4, 2018). "Hit Record Becomes Hit Play: Music Lovers Will Love Bat Out Of Hell". Forbes. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.

[51] Hall, James (June 20, 2017). "The best-selling album nobody wanted to release: how Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf made Bat Out of Hell". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on June 24, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2019.

[52] Petkovic, John (August 12, 2019). "'Bat Out of Hell' Hits the Stage: An Album Born in Cleveland Is Now a Musical (Photos)". Cleveland International Records. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.

[41] Chalmers, Graham (December 22, 2020). "Classic Album Eagles Harrogates Vinyl Sessions Fundraiser Harrogat hospita Charity". Harrogateadvertiser.co.uk. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.

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[43] Smirke, Richard (March 16, 2013). "Pink Floyd, 'The Dark Side of the Moon' At 40: Classic Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2013.

[44] "Black Jacket Symphony to re-create Eagles' "Hotel California"". Tuscaloosanews.com. October 27, 2018. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.

[45] BigKev (December 14, 2012). "Top 200 Highest Selling Albums in Australia". Australian Recording Industry Association. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.

[46] Byrne, Katie (May 20, 2012). "Bee Gees' Robin Gibb Dead At 62". MTV. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.

[47] "Maurice Gibb, 53, of disco's Bee Gees: 'Saturday Night Fever' album defined era". The Seattle Times. The Associated Press. January 12, 2013. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.

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v t Lists of best-selling albums
Asia	China Indonesia Japan South Korea Philippines Taiwan Turkey
Europe	Austria Finland France Germany Italy Portugal Spain United Kingdom
North America	Canada Mexico United States (Latin)
Oceania	Australia New Zealand
South America	Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia
Related topics	Remix albums 21st century Fastest-selling albums By country By women Latin

v t IFPI Global Year-End Charts
Artist of the Year	One Direction (2013) Taylor Swift (2014) Adele (2015) Drake (2016) Ed Sheeran (2017) Drake (2018) Taylor Swift (2019) BTS (2020)
Album of the Year	Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park (2001) The Eminem Show by Eminem (2002) Come Away with Me by Norah Jones (2003) Confessions by Usher (2004) X&Y by Coldplay (2005) High School Musical by Various Artists (2006) High School Musical 2 by Various Artists (2007) Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay (2008) I Dreamed a Dream by Susan Boyle (2009) Recovery by Eminem (2010) 21 by Adele (2011) 21 by Adele (2012) Midnight Memories by One Direction (2013) Frozen by Various Artists (2014) 25 by Adele (2015) Lemonade by Beyoncé (2016) ÷ by Ed Sheeran (2017) The Greatest Showman by Various Artists (2018) 5x20 All the Best!! 1999–2019 by Arashi (2019) Map of the Soul: 7 by BTS (2020)
Single of the Year	"Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne (2007) "Lollipop" by Lil Wayne featuring Static Major (2008) "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga (2009) "Tik Tok" by Kesha (2010) "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars (2011) "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen (2012) "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell (2013) "Happy" by Pharrell Williams (2014) "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth (2015) "One Dance" by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla (2016) "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran (2017) "Havana" by Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug (2018) "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish (2019) "Blinding Lights" by the Weeknd (2020)

List of best-selling albums

Contents

Legend

40 million copies or more

30–39 million copies

20–29 million copies

Timeline of the best-selling albums

Best-selling album by year worldwide

See also

Notes

References