Wikipedia

List of best-selling albums in the United States

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 201.210.169.55 (talk) at 04:01, 13 July 2007. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This is a list of best-selling albums in the United States according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Albums marked with a "≈" are double albums or multiple-disc albums, and therefore are counted accordingly for each sale (see below), some exceptions being Pink Floyd's The Wall and the Soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever which are double albums but are counted as one according to the RIAA because of their total time length (less than 100 minutes):

Platinum album certification in the United States indicates 1,000,000 albums sold.

  1. The Eagles- Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) (Asylum, 1980)- 29 times platinum [[1]]
  2. Michael Jackson - Thriller (Epic, 1982) - 27 times platinum [2]
  3. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV (ZoSo) (Atlantic, 1971) - 23 times platinum
  4. Pink Floyd - The Wall (Columbia, 1979) - 23 times platinum
  5. AC/DC - Back in Black (Atlantic, 1980) - 21 times platinum
  6. Billy Joel - Greatest Hits, Vols. 1 & 2 (Columbia, 1985) - 21 times platinum
  7. Shania Twain - Come on Over (Mercury, 1997) - 20 times platinum
  8. Garth Brooks - Double Live (Capitol, 1998) - 20 times platinum
  9. The Beatles - The Beatles ("The White Album") (Apple, 1968) - 19 times platinum
  10. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (Warner Bros., 1977) - 19 times platinum
  11. Boston - Boston (Epic, 1976) - 17 times platinum
  12. Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard (Arista, 1992) - 17 times platinum
  13. Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill (Maverick, 1995) - 16 times platinum
  14. Hootie and the Blowfish - Cracked Rear View (Atlantic, 1994) - 16 times platinum
  15. Elton John - Greatest Hits (Polydor, 1974) - 16 times platinum
  16. The Beatles - 1967–1970 ("the Blue Album") (Capitol, 1973) - 16 times platinum
  17. Garth Brooks - No Fences (Capitol, 1990) - 16 times platinum
  18. Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti (Swan Song, 1975) - 16 times platinum
  19. Eagles - Hotel California (Asylum, 1976) - 16 times platinum
  20. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (Capitol, 1973) - 15 times platinum
  21. ≈ The Beatles - 1962–1966 ("the Red Album") (Capitol, 1973) - 15 times platinum
  22. Various Artists - Saturday Night Fever (soundtrack) (RSO, 1977) - 15 times platinum
  23. Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction (Geffen, 1987) - 15 times platinum
  24. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A. (Columbia, 1984) - 15 times platinum
  25. Santana - Supernatural (Arista, 1999) - 15 times platinum
  26. Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera ("Self Titled album") (RCA, 2000) - 14 times platinum
  27. Metallica - Metallica ("the Black Album") (Elektra, 1991) - 14 times platinum
  28. Backstreet Boys - Backstreet Boys (Virgin, 1997) - 14 times Platinum
  29. Britney Spears - ....Baby One More Time (Jive, 1999) - 14 times Platinum
  30. Simon and Garfunkel - Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits (Columbia, 1972) - 14 times platinum
  31. Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell (Epic,1977) - 14 times platinum
  32. Garth Brooks - Ropin' the Wind (Capitol, 1991) - 14 times platinum
  33. Journey - Greatest Hits (Columbia, 1988) - 14 times platinum
  34. Backstreet Boys - Millennium (Jive, 1999) - 13 times platinum
  35. Steve Miller Band - Greatest Hits (1974–1978) (Capitol, 1978) - 13 times platinum
  36. Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston (Arista, 1985) - 13 times platinum
  37. Prince and the Revolution - Purple Rain (soundtrack) (Warner Bros., 1984) - 13 times platinum
  38. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Live/1975-85 (Columbia, 1986) - 13 times platinum
  39. Forrest Gump (soundtrack) (Epic, 1994) - 12 times platinum
  40. Kenny Rogers - Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits (1980) - 12 times platinum
  41. The Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks, 1964–1971 (London, 1972) - 12 times platinum
  42. Shania Twain - The Woman in Me (Mercury, 1995) - 12 times platinum
  43. Kenny G - Breathless (Arista, 1992) - 12 times platinum
  44. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II (Atlantic, 1969) - 12 times platinum
  45. Pearl Jam - Ten (Epic, 1991) - 12 times platinum
  46. Matchbox Twenty - Yourself or Someone Like You (Atlantic, 1996) - 12 times platinum
  47. The Beatles - Abbey Road (Apple, 1969) - 12 times platinum
  48. Boyz II Men - II (Motown, 1994) - 12 times platinum
  49. Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet (Mercury, 1986) - 12 times platinum
  50. Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces (Monument, 1998) - 12 times platinum
  51. Phil Collins - No Jacket Required (Atlantic, 1985) - 12 times platinum
  52. Def Leppard - Hysteria (Mercury, 1987) - 12 times platinum
  53. Jewel - Pieces of You (Atlantic, 1995) - 12 times platinum
  54. Creed - Human Clay (Wind-Up, 1999) - 11 times platinum
  55. Celine Dion - Falling into You (Epic, 1996) - 11 times platinum
  56. Eagles - Eagles Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (Asylum, 1982) - 11 times platinum
  57. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Capitol, 1967) - 11 times platinum
  58. Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy (Atlantic, 1973) - 11 times platinum
  59. George Michael - Faith (Columbia, 1987) - 11 times platinum
  60. Kid Rock - Devil Without a Cause (Atlantic, 1998) - 11 times platinum
  61. TLC - CrazySexyCool (LaFace, 1994) - 11 times platinum
  62. Various Artists - Titanic (Epic, 1997) - 11 times platinum
  63. James Taylor - Greatest Hits (Warner Bros., 1976) - 11 times platinum
  64. *NSYNC - No Strings Attached (Jive, 2000) - 11 times platinum
  65. ≈ Shania Twain - Up (Mercury, 2002) - 11 times platinum
  66. ≈ OutKast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (LaFace, 2003) - 11 times platinum
  67. Britney Spears - Oops!... I Did It Again (Jive, 2000) - 10 times platinum
  68. Green Day - Dookie (Reprise, 1994) - 10 times platinum
  69. Ace of Base - The Sign (Arista, 1993) - 10 times platinum
  70. Faith Hill - Breathe (Warner Bros., 1999) - 10 times platinum
  71. Madonna - Like a Virgin (Sire, 1984) - 10 times Platinum
  72. Mariah Carey - Music Box (Columbia, 1993) - 10 times platinum
  73. Mariah Carey - Daydream (Columbia, 1995) - 10 times platinum
  74. Dixie Chicks - Fly (Monument, 1999) - 10 times platinum
  75. Celine Dion - Let's Talk About Love (Epic, 1997) - 10 times platinum
  76. No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom (Interscope, 1995) - 10 times platinum
  77. Doobie Brothers - Best of the Doobies (Warner Bros., 1976) - 10 times platinum
  78. Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP (Aftermath\Interscope 2000)- 10 times platinum
  79. Billy Joel - The Stranger - 10 times platinum
  80. Aerosmith - Aerosmith's Greatest Hits (Columbia, 1980) - 10 times platinum
  81. Garth Brooks - The Hits (Capitol, 1994) - 10 times platinum
  82. Eric Clapton - Unplugged (Reprise, 1992) - 10 times platinum
  83. Carole King - Tapestry (Ode, 1971) - 10 times platinum
  84. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory (Warner Bros., 2000) - 10 times platinum
  85. ≈ Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin (Atlantic, 1990) - 10 times platinum
  86. Madonna - The Immaculate Collection (Sire, 1990) - 10 times platinum
  87. Bob Marley & the Wailers - Legend (Tuff Gong, 1984) - 10 times platinum
  88. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Greatest Hits (MCA, 1993) - 10 times platinum
  89. Def Leppard - Pyromania (Mercury, 1983) - 10 times platinum
  90. Nirvana - Nevermind (Geffen, 1991) - 10 times platinum
  91. Elton John and others - The Lion King (Walt Disney, 1994) - 10 times platinum
  92. Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down (Motown, 1983) - 10 times platinum
  93. MC Hammer - Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em (Capitol, 1990) - 10 times platinum
  94. Van Halen - Van Halen (Warner Bros., 1978) - 10 times platinum
  95. ZZ Top - Eliminator (Warner Bros., 1983) - 10 times platinum
  96. Van Halen - MCMLXXXIV (Warner Bros., 1984) - 10 times platinum
  97. Norah Jones - Come Away With Me (Blue Note, 2002) - 10 times platinum
  98. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life (Motown, 1976) - 10 times platinum
  99. The Beatles - 1 (Capitol, 2000) - 10 times platinum
  100. U2 - The Joshua Tree (Island, 1987) - 10 times platinum
  101. *NSYNC - *NSYNC (RCA, 1998) - 10 times platinum
  102. Patsy Cline - 12 Greatest Hits - (Decca, 1967) - 10 times platinum
  103. ≈ The Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death - (Bad Boy, 1997) - 10 times platinum
  104. ≈ 2Pac - All Eyez on Me (Death Row, 1996) - 9 times platinum
  105. ≈ 2Pac - Greatest Hits (Death Row, 1998) - 9 times platinum
  106. Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey (Columbia, 1990) - 9 times platinum
  107. Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill (Def Jam, 1986) - 9 times platinum
  108. Boyz II Men - Cooleyhighharmony (Motown, 1991) - 9 times platinum
  109. Garth Brooks - Garth Brooks (Capitol, 1989) - 9 times platinum
  110. Garth Brooks - Sevens (Capitol, 1997) - 9 times platinum
  111. Billy Ray Cyrus - Some Gave All (Mercury, 1992) - 9 times platinum
  112. John Denver - Greatest Hits (RCA, 1974) - 9 times platinum
  113. Journey - Escape (Columbia, 1981) - 9 times platinum
  114. Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms (Warner Bros., 1985) - 9 times platinum
  115. The Doors - The Best of the Doors (Elektra, 1985) - 9 times platinum
  116. Whitney Houston - Whitney (Arista) - 9 times platinum
  117. REO Speedwagon - Hi Infidelity (Epic, 1980) - 9 times platinum
  118. ≈ Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (Virgin, 1995) - 9 times platinum
  119. Elvis Presley - Elvis' Christmas Album (1957) - 9 times platinum
  120. Will Smith - Big Willie Style (Columbia, 1997) - 9 times platinum
  121. Various Artists - Footloose (Columbia, 1984) - 9 times platinum
  122. Various Artists - The Great Band Era - 9 times platinum
  123. Various Artists - Top Gun (Columbia, 1986) - 9 times platinum
  124. Usher - Confessions (LaFace, 2004) - 9 times platinum
  125. Nelly - Country Grammar (Universal, 2000) - 9 times platinum
  126. Eminem - The Eminem Show (Aftermath, 2002) - 9 times platinum
  127. Backstreet Boys - Black & Blue (Jive, 2000) - 8 times platinum
  128. Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic (Columbia, 1975) - 8 times platinum
  129. Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera (RCA, 1999) - 8 times platinum
  130. The Beatles - The Beatles Anthology Volume 1 (Capitol, 1995) - 8 times platinum
  131. Michael Bolton - Time, Love and Tenderness (Columbia, 1991) - 8 times platinum
  132. Toni Braxton - Secrets (LaFace, 1996) - 8 times platinum
  133. Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton (LaFace, 1993) - 8 times platinum
  134. Garth Brooks - The Chase (Capitol) - 8 times platinum
  135. Garth Brooks - In Pieces (Capitol) - 8 times platinum
  136. Destiny's Child - The Writing's On The Wall (Columbia, 1999) - 8 times platinum
  137. Eagles - Hell Freezes Over (Geffen, 1994) - 8 times platinum
  138. Fleetwood Mac - Greatest Hits (Warner Bros., 1988) - 8 times platinum
  139. Kenny G - Miracles: The Holiday Album - 8 times platinum
  140. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (Ruffhouse, 1998) - 8 times platinum
  141. Michael Jackson - Bad (Epic, 1987) - 8 times platinum
  142. ≈ R. Kelly - R. (album) - 8 times platinum
  143. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin (Atlantic, 1969)- 8 times platinum
  144. Live - Throwing Copper (Radioactive, 1994) - 8 times platinum
  145. Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing (Arista, 1997) - 8 times platinum
  146. Metallica - ...And Justice for All (Elektra, 1988) - 8 times platinum
  147. New Kids on the Block - Hangin' Tough (Columbia, 1988) - 8 times platinum
  148. The Police - Synchronicity (A&M, 1983) - 8 times platinum
  149. Queen - Greatest Hits (Elektra, 1981) - 8 times platinum
  150. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Greatest Hits (Capitol)- 8 times platinum
  151. Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (Columbia, 1970) - 8 times platinum
  152. Stone Temple Pilots - Core (Atlantic, 1992) - 8 times platinum
  153. ≈ George Strait - Strait Out of the Box - 8 times platinum
  154. U2 - Achtung Baby (Island, 1991) - 8 times platinum
  155. Various Artists - Grease (soundtrack) (RSO) - 8 times platinum
  156. Whitesnake - Whitesnake (Geffen, 1987) - 8 times platinum
  157. Billy Ray Cyrus - The Other Side (Curb/Madacy Records) - 8 times platinum
  158. 2Pac - The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (Death Row, 1996) - 7 times platinum
  159. Paula Abdul - Forever Your Girl (Virgin, 1988) - 7 times platinum
  160. AC/DC - Highway to Hell (Epic, 1979) - 7 times platinum
  161. Aerosmith - Get A Grip (Geffen, 1993) - 7 times platinum
  162. Aerosmith - Pump (Geffen, 1989) - 7 times platinum
  163. Bon Jovi - New Jersey (Mercury, 1988) - 7 times platinum
  164. Boston - Don't Look Back (Epic, 1978) - 7 times platinum
  165. Jackson Browne - Running On Empty (Asylum, 1977) - 7 times platinum
  166. Jimmy Buffett - Songs You Know By Heart (MCA, 1985) - 7 times platinum
  167. Bobby Brown - Don't Be Cruel (MCA, 1988) - 7 times platinum
  168. The Carpenters - The Singles: 1969-1973 (A&M, 1973) - 7 times platinum
  169. Eric Clapton - Time Pieces: Best Of Eric Clapton (RSO, 1982) - 7 times platinum
  170. Natalie Cole - Unforgettable... with Love (Elektra) - 7 times platinum
  171. Counting Crows - August and Everything After (Geffen) - 7 times platinum
  172. The Cranberries - No Need to Argue (Island) - 7 times platinum
  173. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Deja Vu (album) (Atlantic) - 7 times platinum
  174. Sheryl Crow - Tuesday Night Music Club (A&M) - 7 times platinum
  175. Celine Dion - All the Way... A Decade of Song (550 Music) - 7 times platinum
  176. The Eagles - Eagles Live - 7 time platinum
  177. The Eagles - The Long Run - 7 times platinum
  178. Enya - A Day Without Rain - 7 times platinum
  179. Foreigner - Double Vision (Atlantic) - 7 times platinum
  180. Foreigner - Records (Atlantic) - 7 times platinum
  181. Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion I (Geffen) - 7 times platinum
  182. Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II (Geffen) - 7 times platinum
  183. Led Zeppelin - In Through the Out Door (Swan Song, 1979)- 7 times platinum
  184. Madonna - True Blue (A&M, 1986) - 7 times platinum
  185. Michael Jackson - Off The Wall (Epic, 1979) - 7 times platinum
  186. Michael Jackson - Dangerous (Epic, 1991) - 7 times platinum
  187. ≈ Michael Jackson - HIStory - Past, Present And Future, Book I (Epic, 1995) - 7 times platinum
  188. Billy Joel - An Innocent Man (Columbia, 1983) - 7 times platinum
  189. Billy Joel - Glass Houses (Columbia) - 7 times platinum
  190. Billy Joel - 52nd Street (Columbia) - 7 times platinum
  191. Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (MCA) - 7 times platinum
  192. Janis Joplin - Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits (Columbia) - 7 times platinum
  193. Huey Lewis & the News - Sports (Chrysalis, 1983) - 7 times platinum
  194. Ricky Martin - Ricky Martin - 7 times platinum
  195. Dave Matthews Band - Crash (RCA) - 7 times platinum
  196. Pearl Jam - Vs. (Epic) - 7 times platinum
  197. Puff Daddy - No Way Out (Bad Boy/Arista) - 7 times platinum
  198. Bonnie Raitt - Luck of the Draw (Capitol, 1991) - 7 times platinum
  199. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik - 7 times platinum
  200. Linda Ronstadt - Greatest Hits (Asylum) - 7 times platinum
  201. Santana - Santana Greatest Hits (Columbia, 1977) - 7 times platinum
  202. Savage Garden - Savage Garden - 7 times platinum
  203. Spice Girls - Spice (Virgin, 1997) - 7 times platinum
  204. Vanilla Ice - To The Extreme - 7 times platinum
  205. Various Artists - O Brother, Where Art Thou? (soundtrack) (Lost Highway) - 7 times platinum
  206. Various Artists - Waiting to Exhale (Arista) - 7 times platinum
  207. Yanni - Yanni Live at the Acropolis (Private Music) - 7 times platinum
  208. 3 Doors Down - The Better Life (Universal) - 6 times platinum
  209. 50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin' (G-Unit, 2003) - 6 times platinum
  210. ABBA - Gold: Greatest Hits (Polygram, 1992) - 6 times platinum
  211. AC/DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (Atlantic Records,1981) - 6 times platinum
  212. The Beatles - Rubber Soul (Capitol) - 6 times platinum
  213. The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour (Capitol) - 6 times platinum
  214. Blues Traveler - Four (A&M) - 6 times platinum
  215. Michael Bolton - Soul Provider (Columbia) - 6 times platinum
  216. Brooks & Dunn - Brand New Man (Arista Nashville) - 6 times platinum
  217. Garth Brooks - Fresh Horses (Capitol Nashville) - 6 times platinum
  218. Bush - Sixteen Stone (Trauma/Interscope) - 6 times platinum
  219. Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of Mimi (Island, 2005) - 6 times platinum
  220. The Cars - The Cars Greatest Hits (Elektra) - 6 times platinum
  221. The Cars - The Cars (album) (Elektra) - 6 times platinum
  222. INXS - Kick - (Atlantic/Mercury, 1987) - 6 times platinum
  223. Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman (Elektra, 1988) - 6 times platinum
  224. Chicago - Chicago 17 (Warner, 1984) - 6 times platinum
  225. Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (album) (RCA, 2004) - 6 times platinum
  226. Phil Collins - Face Value (Atlantic'Virgin, 1981) - 6 times platinum
  227. Phil Collins - ...But Seriously (Atlantic?Virgin, 1989) - 6 times platinum
  228. Creed - My Own Prison (Wind-Up Records) - 6 times platinum
  229. Creed - Weathered (Wind-Up Records) - 6 times platinum
  230. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - So Far (Atlantic) - 6 times platinum
  231. Celine Dion - The Colour of My Love (550 Music) - 6 times platinum
  232. Dixie Chicks - Home (Wind-Up Records) - 6 times platinum
  233. Dr. Dre - Dr. Dre 2001 (Interscope) - 6 times platinum
  234. Melissa Etheridge - Yes I Am (Island) - 6 times platinum
  235. Evanescence - Fallen (Wind-Up Records) - 6 times platinum
  236. Foreigner - 4 (Atlantic, 1981) - 6 times platinum
  237. Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive (A&M) - 6 times platinum
  238. Fugees - The Score (Ruffhouse/Columbia) - 6 times platinum
  239. George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (Apple) - 6 times platinum
  240. Don Henley - The End of the Innocence (Geffen) - 6 times platinum
  241. Faith Hill - Faith (Warner Bros.) - 6 times platinum
  242. Alan Jackson - Greatest Hits, Vol. II (Arista Nashville) - 6 times platinum
  243. Alan Jackson - A Lot About Livin' (And A Little 'Bout Love) (Arista Nashville) - 6 times platinum
  244. Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814 (Breakout-A&M, 1989) - 6 times platinum
  245. Genesis - Invisible Touch (Atco/Virgin,1986) - 6 times platinum
  246. Janet Jackson - janet. (Virgin, 1993) - 6 times Platinum
  247. Journey - Frontiers (Columbia/CBS, 1983) - 6 times platinum
  248. R. Kelly - 12 Play (Jive) - 6 times platinum
  249. Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor (J Records) - 6 times platinum
  250. Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual (Portrait, 1983) - 6 times platinum
  251. Avril Lavigne - Let Go (Arista) - 6 times platinum
  252. Led Zeppelin - In Through The Out Door (Swan Song) - 6 times platinum
  253. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III (Atlantic) - 6 times platinum
  254. Limp Bizkit - Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (Interscope) - 6 times platinum
  255. Mannheim Steamroller - Mannheim Steamroller Christmas (American Gramaphone) - 6 times platinum
  256. Mannheim Steamroller - A Fresh Aire Christmas (American Gramaphone) - 6 times platinum
  257. Dave Matthews Band - Under the Table and Dreaming (RCA Records) - 6 times platinum
  258. Metallica - Master of Puppets (Elektra/ Music For Nations, 1986) - 6 times platinum
  259. Milli Vanilli - Girl You Know It's True (Arista) - 6 times platinum
  260. Mötley Crüe - Dr. Feelgood (Elektra) - 6 times platinum
  261. Nelly - Nellyville (Universal Records) - 6 times platinum
  262. Nickelback - All The Right Reasons (Roadrunner) - 6 times platinum
  263. Nickelback - Silver Side Up (Roadrunner) - 6 times platinum
  264. The Offspring - Smash (Epitaph Records, 1994) - 6 times platinum
  265. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (Columbia) - 6 times platinum
  266. Elvis Presley - Elvis' Golden Records, Volume 1 (RCA) - 6 times platinum
  267. Quiet Riot - Metal Health (Pasha, 1983) - 6 times platinum
  268. Leann Rimes - Blue (Universal Records) - 6 times platinum
  269. Rolling Stones - Some Girls (Rolling Stones) - 6 times platinum
  270. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Night Moves (Capitol) - 6 times platinum
  271. Shaggy - Hotshot (MCA) - 6 times platinum
  272. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (Columbia) - 6 times platinum
  273. Stone Temple Pilots - Purple (Atlantic) - 6 times platinum
  274. ≈ George Strait - 50 Number Ones (MCA Nashville) - 6 times platinum
  275. George Strait - Pure Country (MCA Nashville) - 6 times platinum
  276. System of a Down - Toxicity (American Recordings) - 6 times platinum
  277. Third Eye Blind - Third Eye Blind (Elektra) - 6 times platinum
  278. TLC - FanMail (LaFace, 1999) - 6 times platinum
  279. U2 - Rattle and Hum (Island, 1988) - 6 times platinum
  280. Carrie Underwood - Some Hearts (Arista, 2005) - 6 times platinum
  281. Usher - My Way (LaFace) - 6 times platinum
  282. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony - E. 1999 Eternal (Ruthless Records) - 6 times platinum
  283. Van Halen - 5150 (Warner Bros., 1986) - 6 times platinum
  284. Various Artists - Flashdance (Casablanca) - 6 times platinum
  285. Various Artists - Space Jam (Atlantic) - 6 times platinum
  286. Various Artists - High School Musical (Walt Disney Records, 2006) - 6 times platinum
  287. Various Artists - The Big Chill (Motown) - 6 times platinum
  288. Linkin Park - Meteora(Warner Bros.) - 6 times platinum
  289. Various Artists - NOW That's What I Call Christmas! (UTV) - 6 times platinum
  290. Wham! - Make It Big (Columbia) - 6 times platinum
  291. Tina Turner - Private Dancer (Capitol, 1984) - 5 times platinum
  292. 50 Cent - The Massacre (Aftermath/Interscope) - 5 times platinum
  293. AC/DC - The Razor's Edge (Atlantic Records) - 5 times platinum
  294. AC/DC - Who Made Who (Atlantic Records,1986) - 5 times platinum
  295. Bryan Adams - Reckless (A&M) - 5 times platinum
  296. Bryan Adams - So Far So Good (A&M) - 5 times platinum
  297. Christina Aguilera - Stripped (RCA) - 5 times platinum
  298. Aerosmith - Permanent Vacation (Geffen, 1987) - 5 times platinum
  299. Air Supply - Air Supply Greatest Hits (Arista) - 5 times platinum
  300. Anita Baker - Rapture (Atlantic, 1986) - 5 times platinum
  301. Alabama - For The Record (RCA Nashville) - 5 times platinum
  302. Alabama - Mountain Music (RCA Nashville) - 5 times platinum
  303. Alabama - Greatest Hits (RCA Nashville) - 5 times platinum
  304. The Beatles - Meet The Beatles! (Capitol) - 5 times platinum
  305. The Beatles - Revolver (Capitol) - 5 times platinum
  306. The Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker (Def American) - 5 times platinum
  307. Big Pun - Capital Punishment (Loud) - 5 Times Platinum
  308. Black Sabbath - Paranoid (album) (Warner Bros. Records) - 5 times platinum
  309. Blink-182 - Enema Of The State (M.C.A. Records) - 5 times platinum
  310. Brandy - Never Say Never (Atlantic) - 5 times platinum
  311. Bread - The Best of Bread (Elektra) - 5 times platinum
  312. Brooks & Dunn - Hard Workin' Man (Arista Nashville) - 5 times platinum
  313. Garth Brooks - Scarecrow (Capitol Nashville) - 5 times platinum
  314. C&C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  315. Mariah Carey - Butterfly (Sony, 1997) - 5 times platinum
  316. Mariah Carey - #1s (Sony, 1998) - 5 times platinum
  317. Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas (Sony, 1994) - 5 times platinum
  318. Deana Carter - Did I Shave My Legs For This? (Capitol Nashville) - 5 times platinum
  319. Tracy Chapman - New Beginning (Elektra) - 5 times platinum
  320. Chicago - Greatest Hits 1982-1989 (Reprise) - 5 times platinum
  321. Chicago - Chicago IX - Chicago's Greatest Hits (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  322. The Cranberries - Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (Island) - 5 times platinum
  323. Christopher Cross - Christopher Cross (Island) - 5 times platinum
  324. Neil Diamond - The Jazz Singer (Capitol) - 5 times platinum
  325. Celine Dion - These Are Special Times (550 Music/Epic) - 5 times platinum
  326. DMX - ...And Then There Was X (Rush Associated Labels) - 5 times platinum
  327. Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  328. Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume II (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  329. Earth, Wind & Fire - The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 (ARC) - 5 times platinum
  330. Enya - Shepherd Moons (Reprise) - 5 times platinum
  331. Fleetwood Mac - The Dance (Reprise) - 5 times platinum
  332. Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac (Reprise) - 5 times platinum
  333. Foreigner - Head Games (Atlantic) - 5 times platinum
  334. Foreigner - Foreigner (Atlantic) - 5 times platinum
  335. Peter Gabriel - So (Geffen/Virgin, 1986) - 5 times platinum
  336. Vince Gill - I Still Believe in You (MCA Nashville, 1992) - 5 times platinum
  337. Amy Grant - Heart In Motion (Myrrh/A&M, 1991) - 5 times platinum
  338. Green Day - American Idiot (Reprise, 2004) - 5 times platinum
  339. Josh Groban - Closer (143/Reprise) - 5 times platinum
  340. Guns N' Roses - G N' R Lies (Geffen, 1989) - 5 times platinum
  341. Heart - Heart (Capitol, 1985) - 5 times platinum
  342. Alan Jackson - The Greatest Hits Collection (Arista Nashville) - 5 times platinum
  343. Janet Jackson - Control (A&M, 1986) - 5 times platinum
  344. Jay-Z - Hard Knock Life, Volume 2 (Roc-A-Fella Records) - 5 times platinum
  345. Waylon Jennings - Greatest Hits (RCA) - 5 times platinum
  346. Billy Joel - River of Dreams (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  347. Elton John - Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II (MCA, 1977) - 5 times platinum
  348. Linda Ronstadt - Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind (Asylum) - 5 times platinum
  349. Linda Ronstadt - What's New (Asylum) - 5 times platinum
  350. Linda Ronstadt - Simple Dreams (Asylum) - 5 times platinum
  351. Wynonna Judd - Wynonna (Curb) - 5 times platinum
  352. R. Kelly - R. Kelly (Jive) - 5 times platinum
  353. Kid Rock- Cocky (Atlantic,2001)- 5 times platinum
  354. Korn - Follow The Leader (Epic) - 5 times platinum
  355. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Skynyrd's Innyrds (MCA) - 5 times platinum
  356. ≈Madonna - Evita (Sire, 1996) - 5 times platinum
  357. Madonna - Madonna (Sire, 1983) - 5 times platinum
  358. Johnny Mathis - Merry Christmas (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  359. Reba McEntire - Greatest Hits, Volume II (MCA Nashville) - 5 times platinum
  360. Tim McGraw - Not a Moment Too Soon (Curb) - 5 times platinum
  361. Tim McGraw - Greatest Hits (Curb) - 5 times platinum
  362. Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell (MCA) - 5 times platinum
  363. John Mellencamp - American Fool (Riva) - 5 times platinum
  364. John Mellencamp - Scarecrow (Riva) - 5 times platinum
  365. Men at Work - Business as Usual (CBS, 1982) - 5 times platinum
  366. Natalie Merchant - Tigerlily (Elektra) - 5 times platinum
  367. Metallica - Load (Elektra) - 5 times platinum
  368. Metallica - Ride the Lightning (Elektra) - 5 times platinum
  369. Metallica - Garage Inc. (Elektra) - 5 times platinum
  370. ≈ Metallica - S&M (Elektra, 1999) - 5 times platinum
  371. The Monkees - More of The Monkees (Colgems) - 5 times platinum
  372. The Monkees - The Monkees (Colgems) - 5 times platinum
  373. *NSYNC - Celebrity (Jive, 2002) - 5 times platinum
  374. Willie Nelson - Stardust (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  375. Nirvana - MTV Unplugged In New York (DGC) - 5 times platinum
  376. Nirvana - In Utero (DGC) - 5 times platinum
  377. The Offspring - Americana (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  378. Pearl Jam - Vitalogy (Epic) - 5 times platinum
  379. Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever (MCA) - 5 times platinum
  380. P!nk - Missundaztood (Arista) - 5 times platinum
  381. Poison - Open Up and Say...Ahh! (Capitol, 1988) - 5 times platinum
  382. The Police - Every Breath You Take: The Classics (A&M) - 5 times platinum
  383. Elvis Presley - Aloha From Hawaii (RCA) - 5 times platinum
  384. Bonnie Raitt - Nick of Time (Capitol) - 5 times platinum
  385. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication (Warner Bros.) - 5 times platinum
  386. Kenny Rogers - The Gambler (United Artists) - 5 times platinum
  387. Salt 'N Pepa - Very Necessary (Next Plateau) - 5 times platinum
  388. Santana - Abraxas (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  389. Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  390. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Against The Wind (Capitol) - 5 times platinum
  391. ≈ Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Live Bullet (Capitol) - 5 times platinum
  392. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Stranger in Town (Capitol) - 5 times platinum
  393. Paul Simon - Graceland (Warner Bros.) - 5 times platinum
  394. Sisqo - Unleash The Dragon (Def Jam) - 5 times platinum
  395. Skid Row - Skid Row (Atlantic) - 5 times platinum
  396. Sly & The Family Stone - Greatest Hits (Epic) - 5 times platinum
  397. Soundgarden - Superunknown (A&M) - 5 times platinum
  398. Spin Doctors - Pocket Full of Kryptonite (Epic) - 5 times platinum
  399. ≈ Bruce Springsteen - The River (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  400. Staind - Break The Cycle (Elektra) - 5 times platinum
  401. Barbra Streisand - Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits, Volume 2 (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  402. Barbra Streisand - Memories (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  403. Barbra Streisand - A Christmas Album (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  404. Barbra Streisand - Guilty (Columbia) - 5 times platinum
  405. Sublime - Sublime (Gasoline Alley/MCA) - 5 times platinum
  406. Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair (Mercury, 1985) - 5 times platinum
  407. Randy Travis - Always & Forever (Warner Bros.) - 5 times platinum
  408. ≈ U2 - Rattle and Hum (Island, 1988) - 5 times platinum
  409. Van Halen - Van Halen II (Warner Bros., 1979) - 5 times platinum
  410. Various Artists - City of Angels (Atlantic) - 5 times platinum
  411. Hank Williams, Jr. - Greatest Hits (Warner Bros., 1978) - 5 times platinum
  412. Wilson Phillips - Wilson Philips (SBK) - 5 times platinum
  413. ZZ Top - Afterburner (Warner, 1985) - 5 times platinum

Top Selling Albums by Decade

1950s

  1. Elvis Presley - Elvis' Christmas Album (1957) 9 million copies
  2. Johnny Mathis - Merry Christmas (1958) 5 million copies
  3. My Fair Lady -(Original Broadway Cast) (1956) 3 million copies
  4. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959) 3 million copies
  5. Motion Picture Soundtrack - Oklahoma! (1955) 2 million copies

1960s

  1. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II (1969) 12 million copies
  2. The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969) 12 million copies
  3. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) 11 million copies
  4. Patsy Cline - Greatest Hits (1967) 10 million copies
  5. = The Beatles - The Beatles (The White Album) (1968) 9.5 million copies (19 million units)
  6. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin I (1969) 8 million copies
  7. The Beatles - Rubber Soul (1965) 6 million copies
  8. The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour (1967) 6 million copies
  9. The Monkees - The Monkees (1967) 5 million copies
  10. The Monkees - More of the Monkees (1967) 5 million copies
  11. The Beatles - Meet the Beatles! (1964) 5 million copies
  12. The Beatles - Revolver (1966) 5 million copies

1970s

  1. The Eagles - Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 (1976) 29 million copies
  2. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV (1971) 23 million copies
  3. Pink Floyd- The Wall (1979) 23 million copies
  4. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (1977) 19 million copies
  5. Boston - Boston (1976) 17 million copies
  6. The Eagles - Hotel California (1976) 16 million copies
  7. = Elton John - Greatest Hits (1974) 16 million copies
  8. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) 15 million copies
  9. = The Bee Gees - Saturday Night Fever (Soundtrack) (1977) 15 million copies [15 million units as well]
  10. Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell (1977) 14 million copies
  11. = Simon & Garfunkel - Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits (1972) 14 million copies
  • Notes:
    • Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti (1975) has sold 8 million copies (16 million units)

1980s

  1. Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982) 27 million copies
  2. AC/DC - Back in Black (1980) 21 million copies
  3. Tina Turner - Private Dancer (1985) 20 million copies
  4. Tina Turner - Break Every Rule (1987) 15 million copies
  5. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A. (1984) 15 million copies
  6. Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987) 15 million copies
  7. Journey - Greatest Hits (1988) 14 million copies
  8. Prince - Purple Rain (1984) 13 million copies
  9. Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston (1985) 13 million copies
  10. Def Leppard - Hysteria (1987) 12 million copies
  11. Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet (1986) 12 million copies
  12. Kenny Rogers - Greatest Hits (1980) 12 million copies
  13. Phil Collins - No Jacket Required (1985) 12 million copies
  14. Tina Turner - Foreign Affair (1989) 10 million copies
  15. George Michael - Faith (1987) 10 million copies
  • Notes:
    • Billy Joel's Greatest Hits Volume I & II (1985) has sold 10.5 million copies (21 million units)
    • Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's Live/1975-85 (1986) has sold 4.3 million copies (13 million units)
    • Def Leppard's Pyromania is certified 10 times platinum in America alone

1990s

  1. Shania Twain - Come On Over (1997) 20 million U.S.
  2. Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard (1992) 17 million U.S.
  3. Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill (1996) 16 million U.S.
  4. Hootie & The Blowfish - Cracked Rear View (1995) 16 million
  5. Santana - Supernatural (1999) 15 million
  6. Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time (1999) 14 million
  7. Metallica - Metallica (1991) 14 million
  8. Garth Brooks - Ropin' The Wind (1993) 14 million
  9. Backstreet Boys - Backstreet Boys (1997) 14 million
  10. Backstreet Boys - Millennium (1999) 13 million
  11. Pearl Jam - Ten (1991) 12 million
  12. Shania Twain - The Woman In Me (1994) 12 million


Nielsen SoundScan Data (Actual retail sales, excludes catalog. Note: Does not include SoundScan data prior to March 1st, 1991.)

  1. Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill - 13,542,393
  2. Shania Twain - Come On Over - 12,110,660
  3. Metallica - Metallica - 11,715,533
  4. Whitney Houston/Soundtrack - The Bodyguard - 11,605,690
  5. Celine Dion - Falling Into You - 10,224,282
  6. Hootie & the Blowfish - Cracked Rear View - 9,817,666
  7. Soundtrack - Titanic - 9,806,175
  8. Backstreet Boys - Millennium - 9,445,732
  9. Garth Brooks - Ropin' The Wind - 9,370,863
  10. Backstreet Boys - Backstreet Boys - 9,258,265

NOTE: These are in order from highest to lowest. Do not change it unless the numbers change.

2000s

  1. 50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003) 11 million copies
  2. Creed - Human Clay (2000) 10.9 million copies
  3. The Beatles - 1 (2001) 10.7 million
  4. Britney Spears - Oops!...I Did It Again (2000) 10 million copies
  5. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory (2000) 10 million copies
  6. Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) 10 million copies
  7. Norah Jones - Come Away with Me (2002) 10 million copies
  8. Usher - Confessions (2004) 9.3 million copies
  9. Nelly - Country Grammar (2000) 9 million copies
  10. Eminem - The Eminem Show (2002) 9 million copies
  11. Backstreet Boys - Black and Blue (2000) 8 million
  12. Various Artists - High School Musical Soundtrack (2000) 6 million

Records

Further research

  • For information about what makes a platinum album, see RIAA certification.
  • Multi-disc albums released after 1981 whose total length is at least 100 minutes count one for each disc in these figures, which accounts for the many double (or more) albums in the list. For multi-disc albums released before 1982, there is no length requirement.
  • Albums from the mid-1960s and before are underrepresented due to the smaller album buying market of that time; albums from the digital music era on may be underrepresented due to the decline in conventional album sales.

See also

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