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. 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.

Such albums have the certifications for the number of copies (not discs) shipped indicated. 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.Īs 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. The certified units percentage varies according to the first year that an artist appeared in the charts.

Certified copies are sourced from available online databases of local music industry associations. 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, this is because more music markets instituted certification systems after the 1980s and 1990s. 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. The figures given do not take into account the resale of used albums.Īll albums included on this list have their available claimed figures supported by at least 30% in certified copies. This list can contain any types of album, including studio albums, extended plays, greatest hits, compilations, various artists, soundtracks and remixes. 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 is a list of the world's best-selling albums of recorded music in physical mediums, such as vinyl, audio cassettes or compact discs.

Platinum record for Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982), the best-selling album of all time You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness.

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