X
Bluesky
Copy link
Impact Link
Save
Saved
Read in app
subscribers. Become an Insider
and start reading now.
Have an account? .
- According to the RIAA, only a handful of albums have sold at least 15 million copies in the US.
- The RIAA’s highest-certified album is “Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)” by the Eagles.
- Green Day’s “Dookie” is the most recent album to receive the award.
The Recording Industry Association of America tracks music sales and honors best sellers with gold, platinum, and diamond awards.
Although an artist or label must request verification of sales and streaming figures — meaning some hit songs and blockbuster albums have yet to be officially certified — the RIAA remains a widely recognized arbiter of success and prestige in the music industry.
Only a handful of albums have been certified 15x platinum or higher by the RIAA, meaning they have sold at least 15 million copies in the US. Legendary artists like the Eagles, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Garth Brooks each have more than one entry on this list. Only four women or female-fronted bands have achieved the feat: Alanis Morissette, Shania Twain, Fleetwood Mac, and Whitney Houston.
The 31 best-selling albums in the US, per the RIAA’s qualifications, are listed below in chronological order of certification date.
1. “The Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd
“The Dark Side of the Moon” was certified 15x platinum on June 4, 1998.
2. “Jagged Little Pill” by Alanis Morissette
“Jagged Little Pill” was certified 16x platinum on July 29, 1998.
Its certification was updated to 17x platinum on January 12, 2024.
3. “The Wall” by Pink Floyd
“The Wall” was certified 23x platinum on January 29, 1999.
4. “1962–1966” by The Beatles
“1962–1966,” also known as the “Red Album,” was certified 15x platinum on February 6, 2001.
5. “Boston” by Boston
“Boston” was certified 17x platinum on November 20, 2003.
6. “Supernatural” by Santana
“Supernatural” was certified 15x platinum on December 10, 2003.
7. “Come On Over” by Shania Twain
“Come On Over” was certified 20x platinum on November 15, 2004.
8. “Physical Graffiti” by Led Zeppelin
“Physical Graffiti” was certified 16x platinum on January 30, 2006.
9. “Double Live” by Garth Brooks
“Double Live” was certified 21x platinum on November 1, 2006.
Its certification was updated to 23x platinum on November 14, 2023.
10. “Greatest Hits” by Journey
“Greatest Hits” was certified 15x platinum on April 22, 2008.
Its certification was updated to 18x platinum on January 26, 2024.
11. “Appetite for Destruction” by Guns N’ Roses
“Appetite for Destruction” was certified 18x platinum on September 23, 2008.
12. “1967–1970” by The Beatles
“1967–1970,” also known as the “Blue Album,” was certified 17x platinum on August 27, 2010.
13. “Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II” by Billy Joel
“Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II” was certified 23x platinum on October 26, 2011.
14. “Metallica” by Metallica
“Metallica” was certified 16x platinum on December 13, 2012.
Its certification was updated to 20x platinum on May 28, 2025.
15. “Legend” by Bob Marley & The Wailers
“Legend” was certified 15x platinum on May 23, 2014.
Its certification was updated to 18x platinum on December 6, 2024.
16. “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac
“Rumours” was certified 20x platinum on October 3, 2014.
Its certification was updated to 21x platinum on July 19, 2023.
17. “Greatest Hits” by Elton John
“Greatest Hits” was certified 17x platinum on April 28, 2016.
18. “Saturday Night Fever” by the Bee Gees
“Saturday Night Fever,” the soundtrack for the 1977 film of the same name, was certified 16x platinum on November 16, 2017.
19. “The Bodyguard” by Whitney Houston
“The Bodyguard,” the soundtrack for the 1992 film of the same name, was certified 18x platinum on November 17, 2017.
Its certification was updated to 19x platinum on June 25, 2025.
20. “Cracked Rear View” by Hootie & the Blowfish
“Cracked Rear View” was certified 21x platinum on May 21, 2018.
Its certification was updated to 22x platinum on June 20, 2024.
21. “Hotel California” by the Eagles
“Hotel California” was certified 26x platinum on August 20, 2018.
22. “Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)” by the Eagles
“Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)” was certified 38x platinum on August 20, 2018.
23. “The Beatles” by The Beatles
“The Beatles,” also known as the “White Album,” was certified 24x platinum on February 21, 2019.
24. “Back in Black” by AC/DC
“Back in Black” was certified 25x platinum on December 6, 2019.
Its certification was updated to 27x platinum on August 21, 2024.
25. “No Fences” by Garth Brooks
“No Fences” was certified 18x platinum on February 14, 2020.
26. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
“Thriller” was certified 34x platinum on August 20, 2021.
27. “Greatest Hits 1974–78” by the Steve Miller Band
“Greatest Hits 1974–78” was certified 15x platinum on October 27, 2021.
28. “Led Zeppelin IV” by Led Zeppelin
The untitled fourth studio album by Led Zeppelin, commonly known as “Led Zeppelin IV,” was certified 24x platinum on November 8, 2021.
29. “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen
“Born in the U.S.A.” was certified 17x platinum on May 25, 2022.
30. “Slippery When Wet” by Bon Jovi
“Slippery When Wet” was certified 15x platinum on July 23, 2024.
31. “Dookie” by Green Day
“Dookie” was certified 20x platinum on September 16, 2024.
Read the full article here
