# List of best-selling albums

This is a list of the world's best-selling albums of recorded music in physical mediums, such as vinyl, audio cassettes or compact discs. 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 and certified at least 10 million units (the equivalent of a diamond certification by the RIAA). 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. Certified copies are sourced either from available online databases of local music industry associations or a country with an established certifying authority (see List of music recording certifications).
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 (White Album) —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. 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.
Michael Jackson's Thriller, estimated to have sold 70 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album ever. Jackson also currently has the highest number of albums on the list with five, Celine Dion has four, while the Beatles, Madonna, Whitney Houston and Pink Floyd 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. If two or more artists have the same claimed sales, they are then ranked by certified units and thereafter by the artist's last 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.

## 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)* | Reported sales* |
| Michael Jackson | Thriller | 1982 | Pop, post-disco, funk, rock | 51.3 US: 34 million JPN: 100,000 UK: 4.5 million GER: 1.5 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 3 million AUS: 1.19 million MEX: 2.6 million NLD: 800,000 ITA: 200,000 SWE: 400,000 ARG: 500,000 SWI: 300,000 AUT: 400,000 FIN: 119,061 NZ: 180,000 HKG: 15,000 DEN: 480,000 DEN: 60,000 HUN: 6,000 POR: 40,000 | 70 |
| AC/DC | Back in Black | 1980 | Hard rock | 31.2 US: 27 million UK: 1 million GER: 1 million FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 840,000 ITA: 150,000 SPA: 150,000 BRA: 100,000 DEN: 40,000 ARG: 160,000 SWI: 100,000 AUT: 50,000 POL: 10,000 NZ: 90,000 | 50 |
| Whitney Houston / various artists | The Bodyguard | 1992 | R&B, soul, pop, soundtrack | 28.7 US: 18 million JPN: 2 million UK: 2.1 million GER: 1.5 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 350,000 BRA: 750,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 25,000 SWE: 100,000 SPA: 600,000 ARG: 240,000 BEL: 200,000 POL: 50,000 SWI: 250,000 AUT: 200,000 NOR: 200,000 FIN: 56,486 NZ: 15,000 | 45 |
| Pink Floyd | The Dark Side of the Moon | 1973 | Progressive rock | 24.8 US: 15 million UK: 4.5 million GER: 1 million FRA: 400,000 CAN: 2 million AUS: 980,000 ITA: 300,000 ARG: 240,000 BEL: 25,000 POL: 100,000 AUT: 100,000 NZ: 240,000 | 45 |
| Eagles | Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) | 1976 | Country rock, soft rock, folk rock | 41.2 US: 38 million UK: 600,000 CAN: 2 million AUS: 560,000 HKG: 15,000 | 44 |
| Eagles | Hotel California | 1976 | Soft rock | 31.8 US: 26 million UK: 1.8 million GER: 500,000 FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 630,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 25,000 SPA: 400,000 DEN: 10,000 SWI: 200,000 AUT: 25,000 FIN: 30,933 NZ: 135,000 HKG: 15,000 | 42 |
| Shania Twain | Come On Over | 1997 | Country, pop | 30.4 US: 20 million JPN: 100,000 UK: 3.3 million GER: 750,000 FRA: 300,000 CAN: 2 million AUS: 1.750 million BRA: 100,000 MEX: 100,000 NLD: 500,000 SWE: 240,000 SPA: 100,000 DEN: 140,000 ARG: 120,000 BEL: 150,000 SWI: 150,000 AUT: 25,000 NOR: 300,000 FIN: 38,958 NZ: 315,000 | 40 |
| Fleetwood Mac | Rumours | 1977 | Soft rock | 30.3 US: 21 million UK: 4.5 million GER: 1.25 million FRA: 300,000 CAN: 2 million AUS: 910,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 25,000 SPA: 50,000 DEN: 40,000 NZ: 195,000 HKG: 15,000 | 40 |
| Meat Loaf | Bat Out of Hell | 1977 | Hard rock, glam rock, progressive rock | 22 US: 14 million UK: 3.3 million GER: 500,000 CAN: 2 million AUS: 1.820 million NLD: 100,000 DEN: 40,000 SWI: 25,000 NOR: 25,000 NZ: 255,000 | 40 |
| Bee Gees / Various artists | Saturday Night Fever | 1977 | Disco | 22.1 US: 16 million UK: 2.1 million GER: 1.5 million FRA: 200,000 CAN: 1.4 million AUS: 770,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 25,000 HKG: 15,000 | 40 |

## 30–39 million copies

*All sales figures are shown in millions
| Artist | Album | Released | Genre | Total certified copies (from available markets)* | Claimed sales* |
| Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin IV | 1971 | Hard rock, heavy metal, folk rock | 30.4 US: 24 million UK: 1.8 million GER: 750,000 FRA: 600,000 CAN: 2 million AUS: 630,000 BRA: 250,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 50,000 SPA: 100,000 NOR: 40,000 ARG: 60,000 SWI: 50,000 | 37 |
| Michael Jackson | Bad | 1987 | Pop, R&B, funk, rock | 21.5 US: 11 million JPN: 100,000 UK: 4.2 million GER: 2 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 1,000,000 AUS: 420,000 NLD: 100,000 SPA: 300,000 SWE: 200,000 DEN: 80,000 NOR: 100,000 MEX: 350,000 SWI: 100,000 AUT: 200,000 FIN: 51,287 NZ: 135,000 HKG: 15,000 POR: 40,000 ITA: 100,000 | 35 |
| Alanis Morissette | Jagged Little Pill | 1995 | Alternative rock | 26.4 US: 17 million UK: 3 million GER: 1 million FRA: 300,000 CAN: 2 million AUS: 980,000 BRA: 500,000 NLD: 400,000 SPA: 300,000 SWE: 200,000 DEN: 180,000 ARG: 60,000 BEL: 100,000 POL: 50,000 SWI: 50,000 NOR: 50,000 AUT: 100,000 FIN: 65,860 NZ: 15,000 POR: 80,000 | 33 |
| Various artists | Dirty Dancing | 1987 | Pop, rock, R&B | 24.1 US: 14 million UK: 3 million GER: 3.250 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 770,000 BRA: 100,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 25,000 SPA: 400,000 SWE: 100,000 DEN: 60,000 POL: 50,000 SWI: 250,000 NZ: 15,000 HKG: 7,500 | 32 |
| Celine Dion | Falling into You | 1996 | Pop, soft rock | 21.1 US: 12 million JPN: 800,000 UK: 2.1 million GER: 1.25 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 910,000 BRA: 100,000 NLD: 600,000 SPA: 200,000 SWE: 200,000 DEN: 160,000 ARG: 60,000 BEL: 200,000 POL: 100,000 SWI: 150,000 NOR: 150,000 AUT: 100,000 FIN: 51,952 NZ: 15,000 | 32 |
| Michael Jackson | Dangerous | 1991 | New jack swing, R&B, pop | 17.0 US: 8 million JPN: 400,000 UK: 1.8 million GER: 2 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 600,000 AUS: 700,000 BRA: 100,000 MEX: 600,000 NLD: 300,000 SWE: 300,000 SPA: 600,000 SWI: 250,000 AUT: 200,000 DEN: 60,000 FIN: 61,896 NZ: 90,000 ITA: 60,000 | 32 |
| Adele | 21 | 2011 | Pop, soul | 27.4 US: 14 million JPN: 100,000 UK: 5.4 million GER: 1.6 million CAN: 1.6 million AUS: 1.19 million BRA: 480,000 NLD: 200,000 ITA: 480,000 SWE: 120,000 SPA: 300,000 ARG: 80,000 DEN: 180,000 BEL: 180,000 POL: 200,000 SWI: 210,000 MEX: 480,000 NOR: 30,000 AUT: 20,000 RUS: 10,000 FIN: 83,234 HUN: 6,000 IRE: 270,000 NZ: 195,000 POR: 30,000 GRE: 3,000 | 31 |
| The Beatles | 1 | 2000 | Rock | 23.2 US: 11 million JPN: 2 million UK: 3.6 million GER: 1.65 million FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 700,000 BRA: 250,000 NLD: 160,000 ITA: 100,000 SWE: 160,000 SPA: 500,000 ARG: 120,000 BEL: 250,000 SWI: 150,000 NOR: 150,000 AUT: 150,000 DEN: 200,000 POL: 100,000 FIN: 77,466 NZ: 225,000 POR: 120,000 | 31 |
| Metallica | Metallica | 1991 | Heavy metal | 22.7 US: 16 million JPN: 200,000 UK: 600,000 GER: 2 million FRA: 300,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 910,000 NLD: 200,000 ITA: 50,000 SWE: 100,000 MEX: 75,000 ARG: 300,000 BEL: 100,000 POL: 70,000 NOR: 150,000 DEN: 140,000 SWI: 200,000 AUT: 100,000 FIN: 112,856 NZ: 150,000 | 31 |
| Celine Dion | Let's Talk About Love | 1997 | Pop, soft rock | 20.5 US: 11 million JPN: 1 million UK: 1.8 million GER: 1.5 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 490,000 NLD: 500,000 SWE: 240,000 SPA: 400,000 DEN: 220,000 ARG: 120,000 BEL: 200,000 POL: 200,000 SWI 300,000 NOR: 200,000 AUT: 100,000 FIN: 97,744 NZ: 135,000 HKG: 40,000 URY: 3,000 | 31 |
| Bob Marley and the Wailers | Legend: The Best of Bob Marley & The Wailers | 1984 | Reggae | 25.9 US: 18 million UK: 4.260 million GER: 500,000 FRA: 1 million CAN: 200,000 AUS: 420,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 100,000 SWE: 50,000 SPA: 100,000 ARG: 240,000 BEL: 200,000 NOR: 25,000 SWI: 300,000 AUT: 100,000 FIN: 36,703 NZ: 300,000 | 30 |
| Nirvana | Nevermind | 1991 | Grunge, alternative rock | 24.8 US: 13 million JPN: 600,000 UK: 2.7 million GER: 1 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 350,000 BRA: 250,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 150,000 SPA: 100,000 SWE: 200,000 DEN: 120,000 MEX: 200,000 ARG: 180,000 BEL: 400,000 POL: 160,000 SWI: 50,000 AUT: 50,000 FIN: 46,830 NZ: 105,000 POR: 40,000 | 30 |
| Guns N' Roses | Appetite for Destruction | 1987 | Hard rock | 22.8 US: 18 million JPN: 200,000 UK: 1,200,000 GER: 500,000 FRA: 200,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 490,000 BRA: 350,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 100,000 SPA: 50,000 SWE: 80,000 DEN: 80,000 MEX: 100,000 ARG: 180,000 SWI: 50,000 AUT: 100,000 FIN: 25,000 NZ: 75,000 | 30 |
| Bruce Springsteen | Born in the U.S.A. | 1984 | Heartland rock | 22 US: 17 million UK: 900,000 GER: 1 million FRA: 300,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 910,000 ITA: 50,000 SPA: 50,000 DEN: 60,000 MEX: 250,000 BEL: 75,000 SWI: 100,000 FIN: 108,913 NZ: 255,000 | 30 |
| ABBA | Gold: Greatest Hits | 1992 | Pop, disco | 21.9 US: 6 million JPN: 600,000 UK: 6.3 million GER: 2.5 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 1.19 million BRA: 100,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 100,000 SPA: 500,000 SWE: 500,000 SWI: 500,000 MEX: 250,000 ARG: 240,000 BEL: 350,000 AUT: 150,000 DEN: 570,000 POL: 100,000 FIN: 145,962 NZ: 240,000 POR: 20,000 RUS: 10,000 | 30 |
| Dire Straits | Brothers in Arms | 1985 | Roots rock, blues rock, soft rock | 21.1 US: 9 million UK: 4.2 million GER: 500,000 FRA: 3 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 1.19 million ITA: 550,000 SPA: 300,000 SWE: 50,000 ARG: 30,000 BEL: 200,000 DEN: 120,000 SWI: 300,000 AUT: 200,000 POL: 50,000 FIN: 116,784 NZ: 360,000 HKG: 15,000 | 30 |
| Madonna | The Immaculate Collection | 1990 | Pop, dance | 20.8 US: 11 million JPN: 800,000 UK: 3.9 million GER: 750,000 FRA: 1 million CAN: 700,000 AUS: 840,000 BRA: 500,000 NLD: 300,000 SWE: 50,000 SPA: 300,000 ARG: 360,000 SWI: 50,000 AUT: 50,000 DEN: 80,000 FIN: 92,500 NZ: 105,000 | 30 |
| Santana | Supernatural | 1999 | Latin rock | 20.8 US: 15 million JPN: 200,000 UK: 900,000 GER: 1 million FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 280,000 BRA: 250,000 NLD: 200,000 ITA: 25,000 SWE: 80,000 SPA: 300,000 MEX: 300,000 ARG: 120,000 BEL: 100,000 POL: 100,000 SWI: 200,000 AUT: 100,000 FIN: 50,291 NZ: 60,000 | 30 |
| Pink Floyd | The Wall | 1979 | Progressive rock | 19.2 US: 11.5 million UK: 900,000 GER: 2 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 2 million AUS: 770,000 NLD: 135,000 ITA: 25,000 SPA: 100,000 DEN: 120,000 ARG: 60,000 POL: 120,000 SWI: 100,000 NZ: 210,000 HKG: 15,000 | 30 |
| The Beatles | Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band | 1967 | Rock | 18.3 US: 11 million UK: 5.1 million GER: 500,000 FRA: 100,000 CAN: 800,000 AUS: 280,000 BRA: 100,000 ITA: 50,000 ARG: 300,000 NZ: 90,000 | 30 |
| Whitney Houston | Whitney Houston | 1985 | Pop, R&B | 17.7 US: 14 million UK: 1.2 million GER: 500,000 FRA: 100,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 280,000 NLD: 100,000 SWE: 200,000 NOR: 100,000 BEL: 25,000 SWI: 50,000 AUT: 50,000 FIN: 29,109 HKG: 15,000 NZ: 15,000 | 30 |
| The Beatles | Abbey Road | 1969 | Rock | 16.9 US: 12 million UK: 2.4 million GER: 500,000 FRA: 100,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 210,000 ITA: 50,000 DEN: 60,000 ARG: 500,000 BEL: 50,000 NZ: 75,000 | 30 |

## 20–29 million copies

*All sales figures are shown in millions
| Artist | Album | Released | Genre | Total certified copies (from available markets)* | Claimed sales* |
| Norah Jones | Come Away with Me | 2002 | Jazz | 19.9 US: 12 million JPN: 500,000 UK: 2.4 million GER: 750,000 FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 770,000 BRA: 125,000 NLD: 160,000 ITA: 25,000 SWE: 60,000 SPA: 100,000 DEN: 220,000 ARG: 80,000 BEL: 100,000 SWI: 120,000 AUT: 80,000 POL: 200,000 NZ: 165,000 POR: 80,000 | 28 |
| Various artists | Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture | 1978 | Rock and roll | 20 US: 13 million UK: 2.7 million GER: 1.25 million FRA: 400,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 980,000 ITA: 50,000 SPA: 300,000 DEN: 140,000 BEL: 25,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 25,000 NZ: 90,000 HKG: 20,000 | 28 |
| Mariah Carey | Music Box | 1993 | Pop, R&B | 17.8 US: 10 million JPN: 1 million UK: 1.5 million GER: 1 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 700,000 AUS: 840,000 BRA: 100,000 NLD: 600,000 SWE: 100,000 SPA: 400,000 BEL: 100,000 NOR: 160,000 SWI: 200,000 AUT: 100,000 FIN: 47,382 NZ: 15,000 | 28 |
| Eminem | The Eminem Show | 2002 | Hip hop | 19.1 US: 12 million JPN: 600,000 UK: 1.8 million GER: 900,000 FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 1.07 million BRA: 50,000 NLD: 80,000 ITA: 50,000 SWE: 120,000 SPA: 100,000 DEN: 140,000 MEX: 75,000 ARG: 40,000 BEL: 50,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 120,000 AUT: 60,000 POL: 50,000 FIN: 62,212 NZ: 135,000 POR: 40,000 | 27 |
| James Horner | Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture | 1997 | Film score | 18.1 US: 11 million JPN: 1 million UK: 900,000 GER: 1.25 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 350,000 NLD: 175,000 SWE: 160,000 SPA: 400,000 ARG: 60,000 BEL: 150,000 POL: 140,000 SWI: 200,000 AUT: 100,000 NOR: 100,000 FIN: 73,509 NZ: 60,000 HKG: 20,000 | 27 |
| Eric Clapton | Unplugged | 1992 | Acoustic rock, acoustic blues | 17 US: 10 million JPN: 800,000 UK: 1.2 million GER: 1.250 million FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 560,000 BRA: 250,000 NLD: 400,000 ITA: 25,000 SWE: 100,000 SPA: 300,000 DEN: 60,000 ARG: 120,000 BEL: 100,000 SWI: 100,000 AUT: 100,000 POL: 50,000 FIN: 45,034 NZ: 15,000 | 26 |
| Queen | Greatest Hits | 1981 | Rock | 20.6 US: 9 million JPN: 100,000 UK: 6.9 million GER: 1.750 million FRA: 200,000 CAN: 300,000 AUS: 1.05 million BRA: 250,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 50,000 SWE: 50,000 SPA: 50,000 ARG: 180,000 SWI: 250,000 AUT: 200,000 POL: 50,000 FIN: 55,058 NZ: 150,000 | 25 |
| Britney Spears | ...Baby One More Time | 1999 | Pop | 20.1 US: 14 million JPN: 200,000 UK: 1.2 million GER: 750,000 FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 280,000 BRA: 100,000 NLD: 300,000 SWE: 80,000 SPA: 300,000 DEN: 60,000 MEX: 375,000 ARG: 240,000 BEL: 150,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 100,000 AUT: 50,000 POL: 100,000 NZ: 45,000 | 25 |
| Bon Jovi | Slippery When Wet | 1986 | Hard rock, glam metal | 18.3 US: 15 million UK: 900,000 GER: 500,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 420,000 SPA: 100,000 NOR: 50,000 DEN: 10,000 SWI: 250,000 FIN: 73,564 NZ: 15,000 | 25 |
| Journey | Greatest Hits | 1988 | Rock, hard rock, pop rock | 18.3 US: 18 million UK: 300,000 CAN: 50,000 IRE: 15,000 | 25 |
| Phil Collins | No Jacket Required | 1985 | Pop rock | 17.7 US: 12 million UK: 1.8 million GER: 1.5 million FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 70,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 250,000 SPA: 100,000 ARG: 180,000 SWI: 100,000 AUT: 50,000 FIN: 34,203 NZ: 15,000 | 25 |
| Eminem | The Marshall Mathers LP | 2000 | Hip hop | 17.5 US: 11 million JPN: 200,000 UK: 2.4 million GER: 900,000 FRA: 600,000 CAN: 800,000 AUS: 280,000 BRA: 100,000 NLD: 80,000 ITA: 25,000 SWE: 160,000 SPA: 100,000 DEN: 100,000 MEX: 150,000 ARG: 30,000 BEL: 100,000 NOR: 100,000 SWI: 200,000 AUT: 50,000 POL: 100,000 FIN: 40,055 NZ: 75,000 | 25 |
| Linkin Park | Hybrid Theory | 2000 | Nu metal, rap metal, alternative metal | 17.2 US: 12 million JPN: 200,000 UK: 1.8 million GER: 900,000 FRA: 200,000 CAN: 500,000 AUS: 350,000 BRA: 250,000 NLD: 80,000 ITA: 100,000 SWE: 80,000 SPA: 100,000 DEN: 80,000 MEX: 150,000 ARG: 60,000 BEL: 100,000 SWI: 50,000 AUT: 50,000 POL: 100,000 FIN: 62,629 NZ: 75,000 | 25 |
| U2 | The Joshua Tree | 1987 | Rock | 16.7 US: 10 million UK: 2.7 million GER: 1 million FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 350,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 25,000 SPA: 400,000 MEX: 100,000 ARG: 60,000 SWI: 50,000 AUT: 150,000 FIN: 27,965 NZ: 210,000 | 25 |
| Prince and The Revolution | Purple Rain | 1984 | Pop rock, new wave, R&B | 15.7 US: 13 million UK: 600,000 GER: 750,000 FRA: 300,000 CAN: 600,000 AUS: 210,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 25,000 SPA: 50,000 DEN: 10,000 SWI: 50,000 AUT: 25,000 NZ: 75,000 | 25 |
| Carole King | Tapestry | 1971 | Pop | 15.1 US: 14 million UK: 600,000 AUS: 560,000 NZ: 15,000 | 25 |
| Madonna | True Blue | 1986 | Pop, dance | 14.5 US: 7 million JPN: 100,000 UK: 2.1 million GER: 1 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 280,000 BRA: 100,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 800,000 SPA: 300,000 ARG: 240,000 BEL: 75,000 NOR: 100,000 SWI: 150,000 AUT: 50,000 FIN: 53,912 NZ: 75,000 POR: 20,000 | 25 |
| George Michael | Faith | 1987 | Pop, R&B, funk, soul | 13.9 US: 10 million UK: 1.2 million GER: 250,000 FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 350,000 NLD: 100,000 SWE: 50,000 SPA: 200,000 DEN: 20,000 ARG: 60,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 100,000 NZ: 15,000 | 25 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | Bridge over Troubled Water | 1970 | Folk rock | 12.5 US: 8 million UK: 3.3 million GER: 500,000 FRA: 300,000 CAN: 400,000 SWI: 25,000 FIN: 25,000 | 25 |
| Elton John | Greatest Hits | 1974 | Pop | 19.1 US: 17 million JPN: 200,000 UK: 800,000 FRA: 100,000 CAN: 1 million | 24 |
| Backstreet Boys | Millennium | 1999 | Pop | 18.4 US: 13 million JPN: 800,000 UK: 300,000 GER: 750,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 210,000 BRA: 500,000 NLD: 200,000 SWE: 80,000 SPA: 400,000 MEX: 675,000 ARG: 180,000 BEL: 100,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 50,000 AUT: 25,000 POL: 50,000 FIN: 42,525 NZ: 30,000 | 24 |
| Adele | 25 | 2015 | Soul, pop, R&B | 19 US: 11 million UK: 3.6 million GER: 1.2 million CAN: 800,000 AUS: 700,000 BRA: 160,000 ITA: 250,000 SWE: 80,000 SPA: 120,000 DEN: 100,000 BEL: 240,000 MEX: 210,000 NOR: 80,000 SWI: 120,000 AUT: 60,000 POL: 100,000 FIN: 47,482 NZ: 180,000 POR: 15,000 | 23 |
| Spice Girls | Spice | 1996 | Pop | 16.4 US: 7 million JPN: 400,000 UK: 3 million GER: 750,000 FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 420,000 BRA: 500,000 NLD: 300,000 SWE: 160,000 SPA: 1 million DEN: 120,000 MEX: 100,000 BEL: 150,000 NOR: 100,000 SWI: 100,000 AUT: 50,000 POL: 200,000 FIN: 76,375 NZ: 15,000 | 23 |
| Ace of Base | Happy Nation/The Sign | 1993 | Pop | 14.4 US: 9 million JPN: 600,000 UK: 600,000 GER: 1.5 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 70,000 BRA: 100,000 NLD: 200,000 SPA: 100,000 SWI: 100,000 AUT: 75,000 FIN: 82,715 NZ: 15,000 | 23 |
| Green Day | American Idiot | 2004 | Punk rock | 11.6 US: 6 million JPN: 500,000 UK: 2 million GER: 800,000 FRA: 300,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 420,000 BRA: 93,627 NLD: 40,000 SWE: 60,000 SPA: 50,000 MEX: 100,000 BEL: 50,000 SWI: 80,000 AUT: 60,000 FIN: 23,133 NZ: 60,000 | 23 |
| Michael Jackson | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | 1995 | R&B, pop, hip hop | 15.2 US: 8 million JPN: 400,000 UK: 1.2 million GER: 1.5 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 500,000 AUS: 560,000 BRA: 100,000 NLD: 300,000 ITA: 35,000 SWE: 100,000 SPA: 300,000 ARG: 60,000 DEN: 250,000 MEX: 100,000 BEL: 250,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 150,000 AUT: 100,000 POL: 100,000 FIN: 61,352 NZ: 135,000 | 22 |
| Celine Dion | All the Way... A Decade of Song | 1999 | Pop | 14.4 US: 7 million JPN: 2 million UK: 1.2 million GER: 1.050 million FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 350,000 BRA: 250,000 SWE: 160,000 SPA: 200,000 ARG: 60,000 BEL: 150,000 NOR: 100,000 SWI: 150,000 AUT: 50,000 POL: 100,000 FIN: 55,713 NZ: 60,000 | 22 |
| Oasis | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | 1995 | Britpop, rock | 11.6 US: 4 million JPN: 200,000 UK: 4.8 million GER: 250,000 FRA: 300,000 CAN: 800,000 AUS: 560,000 NLD: 50,000 ITA: 100,000 SWE: 100,000 SPA: 200,000 ARG: 30,000 DEN: 120,000 BEL: 25,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 25,000 AUT: 25,000 FIN: 27,540 NZ: 15,000 | 22 |
| Madonna | Like a Virgin | 1984 | Pop, dance | 16.2 US: 10 million JPN: 100,000 UK: 900,000 GER: 750,000 FRA: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 490,000 ITA: 1 million SPA: 100,000 BEL: 75,000 SWI: 100,000 FIN: 35,398 NZ: 75,000 | 21 |
| Bon Jovi | Cross Road | 1994 | Hard rock, glam metal | 15 US: 7 million JPN: 1 million UK: 1.8 million GER: 1 million FRA: 300,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 910,000 ITA: 500,000 NLD: 200,000 SWE: 100,000 SPA: 400,000 ARG: 240,000 BEL: 100,000 SWI: 150,000 AUT: 150,000 POL: 50,000 FIN: 123,354 NZ: 105,000 | 21 |
| Green Day | Dookie | 1994 | Pop punk, punk rock, alternative rock | 24.6 US: 20 million JPN: 200,000 UK: 900,000 GER: 750,000 FRA: 100,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 350,000 BRA: 100,000 ITA: 50,000 SWE: 50,000 SPA: 100,000 ARG: 60,000 BEL: 25,000 DEN: 80,000 SWI: 25,000 AUT: 50,000 POL: 50,000 FIN: 35,205 NZ: 15,000 IRE: 60,000 | 20 |
| Hootie & the Blowfish | Cracked Rear View | 1994 | Roots rock, heartland rock | 23.2 US: 22 million UK: 100,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 140,000 | 20 |
| Elvis Presley | Elvis' Christmas Album | 1957 | Christmas, pop, gospel, rock and roll | 20.8 US: 20 million UK: 440,000 CAN: 400,000 AUS: 35,000 | 20 |
| Boston | Boston | 1976 | Arena rock, hard rock | 18.1 US: 17 million UK: 100,000 CAN: 1 million | 20 |
| Mariah Carey | Daydream | 1995 | Pop, R&B | 15.2 US: 11 million JPN: 1 million UK: 600,000 GER: 500,000 FRA: 600,000 CAN: 700,000 AUS: 350,000 NLD: 100,000 SPA: 200,000 BEL: 50,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 25,000 AUT: 25,000 POL: 50,000 NZ: 15,000 | 20 |
| Whitney Houston | Whitney | 1987 | Pop, R&B | 14.5 US: 10 million UK: 2.1 million GER: 500,000 FRA: 300,000 CAN: 700,000 NLD: 100,000 SWE: 200,000 SPA: 200,000 NOR: 100,000 DEN: 20,000 SWI: 100,000 AUT: 100,000 FIN: 59,053 HKG: 15,000 NZ: 15,000 | 20 |
| Shania Twain | The Woman in Me | 1995 | Country, pop | 14.5 US: 12 million UK: 300,000 CAN: 2 million AUS: 210,000 | 20 |
| Britney Spears | Oops!... I Did It Again | 2000 | Pop | 14.4 US: 10 million JPN: 200,000 UK: 900,000 GER: 900,000 FRA: 300,000 CAN: 500,000 AUS: 210,000 BRA: 100,000 NLD: 160,000 SWE: 80,000 SPA: 200,000 MEX: 300,000 ARG: 60,000 BEL: 150,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 100,000 AUT: 100,000 POL: 100,000 FIN: 54,274 NZ: 30,000 | 20 |
| Def Leppard | Hysteria | 1987 | Hard rock, glam metal | 13.9 US: 12 million UK: 600,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 280,000 SWE: 50,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 50,000 NZ: 15,000 | 20 |
| Lauryn Hill | The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill | 1998 | Neo Soul, R&B, Hip Hop | 13.7 US: 10 million JPN: 1 million UK: 1.2 million FRA: 300,000 CAN: 700,000 AUS: 140,000 NLD: 100,000 SWE: 80,000 SPA: 50,000 BEL: 50,000 NOR: 50,000 SWI: 50,000 AUT: 25,000 NZ: 45,000 | 20 |
| Tracy Chapman | Tracy Chapman | 1988 | Folk rock | 13.3 US: 6 million UK: 2.1 million GER: 2.250 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 300,000 AUS: 490,000 BRA: 100,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 25,000 SWE: 50,000 SPA: 300,000 ARG: 120,000 DEN: 120,000 SWI: 200,000 AUT: 100,000 NZ: 15,000 POR: 40,000 | 20 |
| Lionel Richie | Can't Slow Down | 1983 | Pop, R&B, soul | 12.3 US: 10 million UK: 900,000 GER: 250,000 FRA: 100,000 CAN: 1 million NLD: 100,000 SPA: 50,000 FIN: 50,608 NZ: 15,000 | 20 |
| Michael Jackson | Off the Wall | 1979 | Disco, pop, funk, R&B | 11.7 US: 9 million UK: 1.8 million FRA: 300,000 CAN: 100,000 AUS: 350,000 NLD: 100,000 ITA: 30,000 DEN: 10,000 NZ: 90,000 | 20 |
| Celine Dion | The Colour of My Love | 1993 | Pop | 11.1 US: 6 million JPN: 600,000 UK: 1.5 million GER: 250,000 FRA: 300,000 CAN: 1 million AUS: 630,000 NLD: 300,000 SWE: 100,000 SPA: 100,000 BEL: 100,000 NOR: 150,000 SWI: 50,000 AUT: 25,000 FIN: 40,289 NZ: 15,000 | 20 |
| Pink Floyd | Wish You Were Here | 1975 | Progressive rock | 10.9 US: 6 million GER: 1.5 million FRA: 1 million UK: 600,000 AUS: 490,000 ITA: 450,000 SPA: 325,000 CAN: 300,000 AUT: 100,000 BRA: 80,000 ARG: 30,000 POL: 20,000 | 20 |
| Andrea Bocelli | Romanza | 1997 | Operatic pop | 10.1 US: 3 million UK: 300,000 GER: 1 million FRA: 1.3 million CAN: 1.3 million AUS: 490,000 BRA: 900,000 ITA: 30,000 SWE: 80,000 SPA: 500,000 ARG: 500,000 BEL: 100,000 SWI: 350,000 NOR: 150,000 AUT: 50,000 FIN: 28,592 NZ: 45,000 | 20 |
| Amy Winehouse | Back to Black | 2006 | R&B, soul, jazz | 10 US: 2 million JPN: 100,000 UK: 4.2 million GER: 1.2 million FRA: 400,000 CAN: 100,000 AUS: 420,000 BRA: 250,000 ITA: 200,000 SPA: 160,000 BEL: 150,000 POL: 40,000 DEN: 160,000 AUT: 210,000 NOR: 40,000 SWI: 210,000 FIN: 33,884 RUS: 40,000 NZ: 90,000 HUN: 6,000 | 20 |

## 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) |
| 1945 | Various Artists | Oklahoma! (78 rpm album) | 0.5 | 1.0 |
| After 1946 | Al Jolson | The Jolson Story | 1 | |
| 1956 | Various Artists | Oklahoma! (LP album) | 1.75 | 2.5 |
| 1956/1957 | Various Artists | My Fair Lady | 2 | 5 |
| 1960 | Various Artists | South Pacific | 2.25 | 3 |
| 1963 | Vaughn Meader | The First Family | 4 | 7.5 |
| 1968 | Various Artists | The Sound of Music | 8 | |
| 1969 | Iron Butterfly | In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida | 8 | 30 |
| 1973 | Carole King | Tapestry | 10+ | |
| 1975/1976 | Various Artists | The Sound of Music | 10–15 | |
| 1976 | Carole King | Tapestry | 13.5 | 25 |
| 1979 | Bee Gees/Various Artists | Saturday Night Fever | 25–27 | 40 |
| 1984 | Michael Jackson | Thriller | 35 | 70 |

### Notes

* $^{WW}$It is unclear whether this sales figure refers to worldwide sales or US sales.
* $^{SM-T}$The 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.
In 2022, for sales of albums in 2021, IFPI reported three formats of sales chart, the Global all-format chart which includes all physical sales, digital downloads and streaming numbers, newly created Global vinyl album chart counting vinyl physical sales, combination of physical sales and digital downloads as Global album sales chart.
| Year | Album | Artist(s) | Sales (millions) |
| 2001 | Hybrid Theory | Linkin Park | 9.0 |
| 2002 | The Eminem Show | Eminem | 13.9 |
| 2003 | Come Away with Me | Norah Jones | 11.0 |
| 2004 | Confessions | Usher | 12.0 |
| 2005 | X&Y | Coldplay | 8.3 |
| 2006 | High School Musical | Various Artists | 7.0 |
| 2007 | High School Musical 2 | Various Artists | 6.0 |
| 2008 | Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends | Coldplay | 6.8 |
| 2009 | I Dreamed a Dream | Susan Boyle | 8.3 |
| 2010 | Recovery | Eminem | 5.7 |
| 2011 | 21 | Adele | 18.1 |
| 2012 | 21 | Adele | 8.3 |
| 2013 | Midnight Memories | One Direction | 4.0 |
| 2014 | Frozen | Various Artists | 10.0 |
| 2015 | 25 | Adele | 17.4 |
| 2016 | Lemonade | Beyoncé | 2.5 |
| 2017 | ÷ | Ed Sheeran | 6.1 |
| 2018 | The Greatest Showman | Hugh Jackman & Various Artists | 3.5 |
| 2019 | 5x20 All the Best!! 1999–2019 | Arashi | 3.3 |
| 2020 | Map of the Soul: 7 | BTS | 4.8 |
| 2021 | 30 | Adele | 4.68 |
| 2022 | Greatest Works of Art | Jay Chou | 7.2 |
| 2023 | FML | Seventeen | 6.4 |
| 2024 | The Tortured Poets Department | Taylor Swift | 5.6 |