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 66 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album.[4] Although sales estimates for Thriller have been as high as 120 million copies, these sales figures are unreliable.[5] Jackson also currently has the highest number of albums on the list with five, while The Beatles, Madonna and Celine Dion 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.[6]




Contents






  • 1 Legend


  • 2 40 million copies or more


  • 3 30–39 million copies


  • 4 20–29 million copies


  • 5 Timeline of the best-selling albums


  • 6 Best-selling album by year worldwide


  • 7 See also


  • 8 Notes


  • 9 References




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, rock, R&B



47.3




  • US: 33 million[7]


  • JPN: 100,000[8]


  • UK: 4.2 million[9]


  • GER: 1.5 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[11]


  • CAN: 2 million[12]


  • AUS: 1.12 million[13]


  • MEX: 1.6 million[14]


  • NLD: 800,000[15]


  • ITA: 100,000[16]


  • SWE: 400,000[17]


  • ARG: 500,000[18]


  • SWI: 300,000[19]


  • AUT: 400,000[20]


  • FIN: 119,061[21]


  • NZ: 180,000[22][23]


  • HKG: 15,000[24]




66
[4]

Eagles

Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)
1976

Country rock, soft rock, folk rock



41.2




  • US: 38 million[7]


  • UK: 600,000[9]


  • CAN: 2 million[12]


  • AUS: 560,000[13]


  • IFPI HKG: 15,000[24]




51

[25][26]

AC/DC

Back in Black
1980

Hard rock



26.1




  • US: 22 million[7]


  • UK: 300,000[9]


  • GER: 1 million[10]


  • FRA: 600,000[11]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 840,000[13]


  • ITA: 50,000[16]


  • ARG: 160,000[27]


  • SWI: 100,000[19]


  • AUT: 50,000[20]




50
[28]

Pink Floyd

The Dark Side of the Moon
1973

Progressive rock



24.2




  • US: 15 million[7]


  • UK: 4.2 million[9]


  • GER: 1 million[10]


  • FRA: 400,000[11]


  • CAN: 2 million[12]


  • AUS: 980,000[13]


  • ITA: 100,000[16]


  • ARG: 120,000[27]


  • POL: 70,000[29]


  • AUT: 100,000[20]


  • NZ: 240,000[30]




45
[31]

Whitney Houston / Various artists

The Bodyguard
1992

R&B, soul, pop, soundtrack



28.4




  • US: 18 million[7]


  • JPN: 2 million[32]


  • UK: 2.1 million[9]


  • GER: 1.5 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[11]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 350,000[13]


  • BRA: 750,000[33]


  • NLD: 100,000[15]


  • SWE 100,000[17]


  • SPA: 500,000[34]


  • ARG: 240,000[27]


  • SWI: 250,000[19]


  • AUT: 200,000[20]


  • NOR: 200,000[35]


  • FIN: 92,500[21]




45
[36]

Meat Loaf

Bat Out of Hell
1977

Hard rock, glam rock, heavy metal



21.5




  • US: 14 million[7]


  • UK: 3 million[9]


  • GER: 500,000[10]


  • CAN: 2 million[12]


  • AUS: 1.68 million[13]


  • NZ: 255,000[30]




43
[37]

Eagles

Hotel California
1976

Soft rock



31.5




  • US: 26 million[7]


  • UK: 1.8 million[9]


  • GER: 500,000[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[11]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 560,000[13]


  • SPA: 400,000[34]


  • SWI: 100,000[19]


  • AUT: 25,000[20]


  • FIN: 30,933[21]


  • NZ: 135,000[22]


  • HKG: 15,000[24]




42
[38]

Bee Gees / Various artists

Saturday Night Fever
1977

Disco



21.6




  • US: 16 million[7]


  • UK: 2.1 million[9]


  • GER: 1.5 million[10]


  • FRA: 200,000[11]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 770,000[39]


  • HKG: 15,000[24]




40

[40][41]

Fleetwood Mac

Rumours
1977

Soft rock



27.9




  • US: 20 million[7]


  • UK: 3.3 million[9]


  • GER: 1.25 million[10]


  • FRA: 300,000[42]


  • CAN: 2 million[12]


  • AUS: 910,000[13]


  • NZ: 150,000[43]


  • HKG: 15,000[24]




40

[44][45]

Shania Twain

Come On Over
1997

Country, pop



29.6




  • US: 20 million[7]


  • JPN: 100,000 [8]


  • UK: 3.3 million[9]


  • GER: 750,000[10]


  • FRA: 300,000[42]


  • CAN: 2 million[12]


  • AUS: 1.05 million[13]


  • BRA: 100,000[33]


  • MEX: 100,000[14]


  • NLD: 400,000[15]


  • ITA: 50,000[16]


  • SWE 180,000[17]


  • SPA: 100,000[34]


  • BEL: 100,000[46][47]


  • ARG: 120,000[27]


  • SWI: 150,000[19]


  • AUT: 25,000[20]


  • NOR: 300,000[35]


  • DEN: 100,000[48]


  • FIN: 38,958[21]


  • NZ: 315,000[23]




40
[49]


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[7]


  • UK: 2.4 million[9]


  • GER: 1.25 million[10]


  • FRA: 400,000[11]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 980,000[13]


  • SPA: 300,000[34]


  • SWI: 25,000[19]


  • NZ: 15,000[22]


  • HKG: 15,000[24]




38


Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin IV
1971

Hard rock, heavy metal, folk rock



29.0




  • US: 23 million[7]


  • UK: 1.8 million[9]


  • GER: 750,000[10]


  • FRA: 600,000[42]


  • CAN: 2 million[12]


  • AUS: 630,000[13]


  • BRA: 100,000[33]


  • NLD: 100,000[15]


  • ARG: 60,000[27]


  • SWI: 50,000[19]




37
[50]

Michael Jackson

Bad
1987

Pop, funk, rock



19.3




  • US: 10 million[7]


  • UK: 3.9 million[9]


  • GER: 2 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[11]


  • CAN: 700,000[12]


  • AUS: 420,000[13]


  • MEX: 350,000[14]


  • SWE 200,000[17]


  • SPA: 300,000[34]


  • AUT: 200,000[20]


  • FIN: 51,287[21]


  • NZ: 135,000[51]


  • IFPI HKG: 15,000[24]




35

[52][53]

Alanis Morissette

Jagged Little Pill
1995

Alternative rock



24.4




  • US: 16 million[7]


  • UK: 3 million[9]


  • GER: 1 million[10]


  • FRA: 300,000[42]


  • CAN: 2 million[12]


  • AUS: 980,000[13]


  • NLD: 400,000[15]


  • SWE 200,000[17]


  • BRA: 100,000[33]


  • ARG: 60,000[27]


  • POL: 50,000[29]


  • SWI: 50,000[19]


  • NOR: 50,000[35]


  • AUT: 100,000[20]


  • FIN: 65,860[21]




33
[54]

Celine Dion

Falling into You
1996

Pop, soft rock



20.2




  • US: 11 million[7]


  • JPN: 800,000[8]


  • UK: 2.1 million[9]


  • GER: 1.25 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[42]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 910,000[13]


  • BRA: 100,000[33]


  • NLD: 600,000[15]


  • SWE: 200,000[17]


  • SPA: 200,000[34]


  • BEL: 200,000[46]


  • ARG: 60,000[27]


  • POL: 100,000[29]


  • SWI: 150,000[19]


  • NOR: 150,000[35]


  • AUT: 100,000[20]


  • FIN: 51,952[21]


  • NZ: 180,000[22]


  • HUN: 25,000[55]




32
[56]

The Beatles

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
1967

Rock



18.2




  • US: 11 million[7]


  • UK: 5.1 million[9]


  • GER: 500,000[10]


  • CAN: 800,000[12]


  • AUS: 280,000[13]


  • BRA: 100,000[33]


  • ARG: 300,000[27]


  • NZ: 90,000[23]




32
[57]
Various artists

Dirty Dancing
1987

Pop, rock, R&B



17.9




  • US: 11 million[7]


  • UK: 1.5 million[9]


  • GER: 2 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[11]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 770,000[13]


  • BRA: 100,000[33]


  • NLD: 100,000[15]


  • SWE 100,000[17]


  • POL: 50,000[29]


  • SWI: 250,000[19]


  • HKG: 7,500[24]




32
[58]

Michael Jackson

Dangerous
1991

Rock, funk, pop



17.3




  • US: 8 million[7]


  • JPN: 400,000[8]


  • UK: 1.8 million[9]


  • GER: 2 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[42]


  • CAN: 600,000[12]


  • AUS: 700,000[13]


  • BRA: 100,000[33]


  • MEX: 600,000[14]


  • NLD: 300,000[15]


  • SWE 300,000[17]


  • SPA: 600,000[34]


  • SWI: 250,000[19]


  • AUT: 200,000[20]


  • FIN: 61,896[21]


  • NZ: 90,000[23]


  • CHI: 125,000[59]


  • MAL: 175,000[60]




32
[61]

Adele

21
2011

Pop, soul



25.3




  • US: 14 million[7]


  • JPN: 100,000[62]


  • UK: 4.8 million[9]


  • GER: 1.6 million[10]


  • CAN: 800,000[12]


  • AUS: 980,000[13]


  • MEX: 300,000[14]


  • NLD: 450,000[63]


  • ITA: 480,000[16]


  • SWE: 120,000[64]


  • SPA: 300,000[34]


  • ARG: 80,000[65]


  • BEL: 180,000[47]


  • POL: 200,000[29]


  • SWI: 40,000[19]


  • NOR: 30,000[66]


  • AUT: 20,000[20]


  • RUS: 10,000[67]


  • DEN: 150,000[68]


  • POR: 40,000[69]


  • FIN: 83,234[21]


  • IRE: 270,000[70]


  • GRE: 6,000[71]


  • HUN: 12,000[72]


  • NZ: 180,000[73]


  • CHI: 20,000[74]


  • VEN: 10,000[75]




31
[76]

Celine Dion

Let's Talk About Love
1997

Pop, soft rock



19.3




  • US: 10 million[7]


  • JPN: 1 million[8]


  • UK: 1.8 million[9]


  • GER: 1.5 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[42]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 420,000[13]


  • NLD: 500,000[15]


  • SWE: 240,000[17]


  • SPA: 400,000[34]


  • BEL: 200,000[46]


  • ARG: 120,000[27]


  • POL: 200,000[29]


  • SWI: 300,000[19]


  • NOR: 200,000[35]


  • AUT: 100,000[20]


  • FIN: 97,744[21]


  • NZ: 135,000[77]


  • HKG: 40,000[24]


  • URY: 3,000[78]




31
[79]

The Beatles

1
2000

Rock



23.4




  • US: 12 million[7]


  • JPN: 2 million[8]


  • UK: 3.3 million[9]


  • GER: 1.65 million[10]


  • FRA: 600,000[42]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 700,000[13]


  • BRA: 250,000[33]


  • ITA: 50,000[16]


  • SWE 160,000[17]


  • SPA: 500,000[34]


  • ARG: 120,000[27]


  • POL: 100,000[29]


  • SWI: 150,000[19]


  • NOR: 150,000[35]


  • AUT: 150,000[20]


  • DEN: 200,000[80]


  • POR: 120,000[81]


  • FIN: 77,466[21]


  • NZ: 225,000[22]




31
[82]

ABBA

Gold: Greatest Hits
1992

Pop, disco



23.0




  • US: 6 million[7]


  • JPN: 600,000[83]


  • UK: 5.4 million[9]


  • GER: 2.5 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[42]


  • RUS: 10,000[84]


  • MEX: 250,000[14]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • BRA: 100,000[33]


  • AUS: 1.19 million[13]


  • IND: 20,000[85]


  • ITA: 270,000[85][16]


  • SPA: 500,000[34]


  • NLD: 300,000[85]


  • SAF: 50,000[85]


  • SWE 500,000[17]


  • SWI: 500,000[19]


  • ARG: 240,000[27]


  • BEL: 350,000[46]


  • THL: 20,000[85]


  • NOR: 150,000[85]


  • AUT: 150,000[20]


  • DEN: 300,000[85]


  • KOR: 100,000[85]


  • TWN: 210,000[85]


  • POL: 100,000[29]


  • IRE: 90,000[85]


  • FIN: 145,962[21]


  • POR: 100,000[85][81]


  • NZ: 240,000[22]


  • HKG: 120,000[85]


  • SGP: 165,000[85]


  • HUN: 100,000[85]


  • CHI: 60,000[85]


  • ISR: 40,000[85]


  • CZE: 30,000[85]


  • MAL: 100,000[85]


  • VEN: 5,000[85]


  • ICL: 5,000[85]




30
[86]

Madonna

The Immaculate Collection
1990

Pop, dance



19.4




  • US: 10 million[7]


  • JPN: 800,000[8]


  • UK: 3.6 million[9]


  • GER: 750,000[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[11]


  • CAN: 700,000[12]


  • AUS: 840,000[87]


  • BRA: 500,000[33]


  • NLD: 300,000[15]


  • SWE 50,000[17]


  • SPA: 300,000[34]


  • ARG: 180,000[27]


  • SWI: 50,000[19]


  • AUT: 50,000[20]


  • DEN: 50,000[88]


  • FIN: 92,500[21]


  • NZ: 105,000[22]




30
[89]

The Beatles

Abbey Road
1969

Rock



14.4




  • US: 12 million[7]


  • GER: 500,000[10]


  • FRA: 150,000[11]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 210,000[13]


  • ARG: 500,000[18]


  • NZ: 75,000[23]




30
[90]

Bruce Springsteen

Born in the U.S.A.
1984

Heartland rock



19.6




  • US: 15 million[7]


  • UK: 900,000[9]


  • GER: 1 million[10]


  • FRA: 400,000[42]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 910,000[13]


  • FIN: 108,913[21]


  • NZ: 240,000[22]




30
[91]

Dire Straits

Brothers in Arms
1985

Roots rock, blues rock, soft rock



17.7




  • US: 9 million[7]


  • UK: 4.1 million[9]


  • GER: 500,000[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[42]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 1.19 million[13]


  • ARG: 30,000[27]


  • SWI: 350,000[19]


  • FIN: 116,784[21]


  • NZ: 360,000[30]


  • HKG: 15,000[24]




30

[92][93]

James Horner

Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture
1997

Film score



18.1




  • US: 11 million[7]


  • JPN: 1 million[94]


  • UK: 900,000[9]


  • GER: 1.25 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[11]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 350,000[13]


  • NLD: 175,000[15]


  • SWE 160,000[17]


  • SPA: 400,000[34]


  • BEL: 150,000[46]


  • POL: 140,000[29]


  • ARG: 60,000[27]


  • SWI: 200,000[19]


  • AUT: 100,000[20]


  • NOR: 100,000[35]


  • FIN: 73,509[21]


  • NZ: 60,000[95]


  • HKG: 20,000[24]




30
[96]

Metallica

Metallica
1991

Heavy metal



25.2




  • US: 16,83 million[7]


  • UK: 900,000[9]


  • GER: 1,500,000[10]


  • FRA: 487,500[11]


  • CAN: 2 million[12]


  • AUS: 840,000[13]


  • MEX: 600,000[14]


  • NLD: 200,000[15]


  • ITA: 100,000[16]


  • SWE 200,000[17]


  • ARG: 300,000[27]


  • POL: 2


00,000[29]




  • SWI: 150,000[19]


  • NOR: 100,000[35]


  • AUT: 100,000[20]


  • FIN: 118,856[21]


  • NZ: 150,000[23]




31
[97]

Nirvana

Nevermind
1991

Grunge, alternative rock



16.7




  • US: 10 million[7]


  • JPN: 600,000[83]


  • UK: 1.2 million[9]


  • GER: 1 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[11]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 350,000[13]


  • BRA: 250,000[33]


  • MEX: 200,000[14]


  • ITA: 100,000[16]


  • SWE 200,000[17]


  • ARG: 300,000[27]


  • BEL: 150,000[47]


  • POL: 100,000[29]


  • SWI: 50,000[19]


  • AUT: 50,000[20]


  • FIN: 46,830[21]


  • NZ: 105,000[22]




30
[98]

Pink Floyd

The Wall
1979

Progressive rock



18.6




  • US: 11.5 million[7]


  • UK: 600,000[9]


  • GER: 2 million[10]


  • FRA: 1 million[11]


  • CAN: 2 million[12]


  • AUS: 770,000[13]


  • ITA: 100,000[16]


  • ARG: 200,000[99]


  • POL: 70,000[29]


  • SWI: 100,000[19]


  • NZ: 210,000[22]


  • HKG: 15,000[24]




30
[100]

Santana

Supernatural
1999

Latin rock



20.5




  • US: 15 million[7]


  • JPN: 200,000 [8]


  • UK: 600,000[9]


  • GER: 1 million[10]


  • FRA: 600,000[42]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • AUS: 280,000[13]


  • BRA: 250,000[33]


  • MEX: 300,000[14]


  • NLD: 200,000[15]


  • SWE 80,000[17]


  • SPA: 300,000[34]


  • BEL: 100,000[46]


  • ARG: 120,000[27]


  • POL: 100,000[29]


  • SWI: 200,000[19]


  • AUT: 100,000[20]


  • FIN: 50,291[21]


  • NZ: 60,000[22]




30
[101]

Guns N' Roses

Appetite for Destruction
1987

Hard rock



21.6




  • US: 18 million[7]


  • JPN: 200,000[8]


  • UK: 900,000[9]


  • GER: 500,000[10]


  • FRA: 200,000[42]


  • CAN: 1 million[12]


  • BRA: 250,000[33]


  • MEX: 100,000[14]


  • ITA: 50,000[16]


  • SWE 50,000[17]


  • ARG: 180,000[27]


  • SWI: 50,000[19]


  • AUT: 50,000[20]


  • FIN: 25,000[21]




30

[102][103]


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
[104]

Mariah Carey

Music Box
1993

Pop, R&B
28
[105]

Eminem

The Eminem Show
2002

Hip hop
27

[106][107]

Linkin Park

Hybrid Theory
2000

Nu metal, rap metal, alternative metal
27
[108]

Norah Jones

Come Away with Me
2002

Jazz
27
[109]

Eric Clapton

Unplugged
1992

Acoustic rock, acoustic blues
26
[110]

Madonna

True Blue
1986

Pop
25
[111]

Bob Marley & The Wailers

Legend: The Best of Bob Marley & The Wailers
1984

Reggae
25
[112]

Carole King

Tapestry
1971

Pop
25
[113]

Phil Collins

No Jacket Required
1985

Pop rock
25
[114]

Queen

Greatest Hits
1981

Rock
25
[115]

Simon & Garfunkel

Bridge over Troubled Water
1970

Folk rock
25
[116]

U2

The Joshua Tree
1987

Rock
25
[117]

Prince and The Revolution

Purple Rain
1984

Pop rock, new wave, R&B
25
[118]

Britney Spears

...Baby One More Time
1999

Pop
25
[119]

Elton John

Greatest Hits
1974

Pop
24
[120]

Backstreet Boys

Backstreet's Back / Backstreet Boys
1997

Pop
24
[121]

Backstreet Boys

Millennium
1999

Pop
24
[121]

Spice Girls

Spice
1996

Pop
23

[122][123]

Ace of Base

Happy Nation/The Sign
1993

Pop
23
[124]

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston
1985

Pop, R&B
22
[125]

Oasis

(What's the Story) Morning Glory?
1995

Britpop, rock
22
[126]

Adele

25
2015

Soul, pop, R&B
22
[127]

Eminem

The Marshall Mathers LP
2000

hip-hop
21
[128]

Madonna

Like a Virgin
1984

Pop, dance
21
[129]

Bon Jovi

Cross Road
1994

Hard rock, glam metal
21
[130]

Boston

Boston
1976

Arena rock, hard rock
20
[131]

Britney Spears

Oops!... I Did It Again
2000

Pop
20
[132]

Celine Dion

The Colour of My Love
1993

Pop
20
[133]

Def Leppard

Hysteria
1987

Hard rock, glam metal
20
[134]

Elvis Presley

Elvis' Christmas Album
1957

Christmas, pop, gospel, rock and roll
25
20

[135][136][137]

George Michael

Faith
1987

Pop, R&B, funk, soul
20
[138]

Green Day

Dookie
1994

Pop punk, punk rock, alternative rock
20
[139]

Lionel Richie

Can't Slow Down
1983

Pop, R&B, soul
20
[140]

Mariah Carey

Daydream
1995

Pop, R&B
20
[141]

Michael Jackson

HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
1995

Pop, pop rock, funk, R&B, new jack swing
20
[142]

Michael Jackson

Off the Wall
1979

Soul, disco, R&B
20
[143]

Shania Twain

The Woman in Me
1995

Country, pop
20
[144]

Supertramp

Breakfast in America
1979

Progressive rock, art rock
20
[145]

Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman
1988

Folk rock
20
[146]
Various artists

Flashdance: Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture
1983

Electro, synthpop
20
[147]

Whitney Houston

Whitney
1987

Pop, R&B
20
[148]

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

[149][150]
1956
Various Artists

Oklahoma! (LP album)
1.75
2.5
[151]
1956/1957
Various Artists

My Fair Lady
2
5

[152][153][154]
1960
Various Artists

South Pacific
2.25
3
[155]
1963

Vaughn Meader

The First Family
4
7.5

[156][157]
1968
Various Artists

The Sound of Music
8WW

[158]
1973

Carole King

Tapestry
10+

[159]
1975/1976
Various Artists

The Sound of Music
10–15SM-T


[160][161]
1976

Carole King

Tapestry
13.5SM-T
25
[162]
1979

Bee Gees/Various Artists

Saturday Night Fever
25–27
40

[163][164]
1984

Michael Jackson

Thriller
35
66

[165][4]

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.[166]


Units sold include physical copies and digital downloads.






























































































































Year
Album
Artist(s)
Sales
(millions)
Ref(s)
2001

Hybrid Theory

Linkin Park
8.5
[167]
2002

The Eminem Show

Eminem
13.9
[168]
2003

Come Away with Me

Norah Jones
18.0

[169][170]
2004

Confessions

Usher
12.0
[171]
2005

X&Y

Coldplay
8.3
[172]
2006

High School Musical
Various Artists
7.0
[173]
2007

High School Musical 2
6.0
[174]
2008

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

Coldplay
6.8
[175]
2009

I Dreamed a Dream

Susan Boyle
8.3
[176]
2010

Recovery

Eminem
5.7
[177]
2011

21

Adele
18.1
[168]
2012
8.3
[178]
2013

Midnight Memories

One Direction
4.0
[179]
2014

Frozen
Various Artists
9.0
[180]
2015

25

Adele
17.4
[181]
2016

Lemonade

Beyoncé
2.5
[182]
2017

÷

Ed Sheeran
6.1
[183]

See also



  • List of best-selling albums by country

  • List of best-selling music artists

  • List of best-selling remix albums

  • List of best-selling singles

  • Lists of albums

  • List of best-selling albums of the 21st century


Notes





  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.)





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