Top album
This top album ranking is taking into account all formats according to our original CSPC concept. It means we take streaming into account, as well as compilations which are linked to the studio albums they cover.
For example, let’s take the claim Dark side of the moon has been ranking among charts for ~740 weeks between 1973 and 1988. It’s true but it’s only one part of the story. Many studio albums would remain longer in charts if they weren’t replaced by subsequent compilations. Because of this, although compilations are often overlooked, checking both sides gives a better idea of a studio album’s intrinsic success. This is reflected in this top.
Remember to use the searching, filtering, and sorting options to make the most out of the ranking, like top sellers per year or per decade!
Please keep in mind that some artists are missing, because their analysis has not been done yet. Here is the complete list of covered artists.
Top albums – Equivalent album sales (EAS)
# | g# | Cover | Album | Studio album (EAS) | Other LPs (EAS) | Physical singles (units sold) | Digital singles (units sold) | Streams | Daily streams | Total EAS | Gender | Language | Genre | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Thriller ![]() |
65,800,000 | 40,504,000 | 17,430,000 | 28,100,000 | 5,639,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 2,060LD: 3,070 | 121,378,000 | Solo - Male | English | Pop | 1,982 | ||
2 | Hotel California ![]() |
30,050,000 | 37,108,000 | 5,790,000 | 8,620,000 | 2,508,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 980LD: 1,190 | 72,696,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,976 | ||
3 | Saturday Night Fever ![]() |
34,800,000 | 24,813,000 | 16,900,000 | 8,220,000 | 3,390,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,290LD: 2,210 | 70,281,000 | Various | English | Pop | 1,977 | ||
4 | Bad ![]() |
33,600,000 | 22,287,000 | 13,160,000 | 16,010,000 | 3,441,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,230LD: 1,570 | 65,678,000 | Solo - Male | English | Pop | 1,987 | ||
5 | Rumours ![]() |
35,500,000 | 21,113,000 | 5,900,000 | 15,000,000 | 4,926,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 2,550LD: 3,640 | 65,559,000 | Group - Mixed | English | Rock | 1,977 | ||
6 | Back in Black ![]() |
35,810,000 | 19,149,000 | 1,843,000 | 13,830,000 | 4,368,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,770LD: 2,450 | 61,956,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,980 | ||
7 | Led Zeppelin IV ![]() |
36,800,000 | 18,296,000 | 1,000,000 | 8,860,000 | 2,167,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 930LD: 1,010 | 58,892,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,971 | ||
8 | Nevermind ![]() |
27,750,000 | 21,026,000 | 3,590,000 | 13,800,000 | 6,964,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 2,550LD: 4,160 | 58,887,000 | Group - Male | English | Alternative | 1,991 | ||
9 | The Dark Side of the Moon ![]() |
43,300,000 | 11,027,000 | 940,000 | 5,300,000 | 2,821,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,030LD: 1,740 | 58,225,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,973 | ||
10 | The Bodyguard ![]() |
41,100,000 | 6,727,000 | 13,580,000 | 10,500,000 | 1,983,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 700LD: 1,070 | 55,422,000 | Solo - Female | English | Pop | 1,992 | ||
11 | Grease ![]() |
38,100,000 | 5,605,000 | 24,400,000 | 5,930,000 | 1,862,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 970LD: 1,010 | 53,838,000 | Various | English | Pop | 1,978 | ||
12 | The Wall ![]() |
31,300,000 | 15,459,000 | 6,075,000 | 8,000,000 | 3,799,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,390LD: 2,130 | 53,581,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,979 | ||
13 | Slippery When Wet ![]() |
23,600,000 | 22,492,000 | 4,400,000 | 14,800,000 | 3,257,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,700LD: 2,120 | 52,889,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,986 | ||
14 | 21 ![]() |
30,380,000 | 2,851,000 | 110,000 | 59,220,000 | 9,570,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 5,150LD: 6,610 | 51,699,000 | Solo - Female | English | Soul/Motown R&B | 2,011 | ||
15 | Appetite For Destruction ![]() |
30,770,000 | 10,822,000 | 2,800,000 | 20,680,000 | 5,475,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 2,080LD: 3,100 | 51,009,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,987 | ||
16 | The Joshua Tree ![]() |
26,800,000 | 17,389,000 | 3,864,000 | 12,300,000 | 2,395,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,070LD: 1,400 | 49,744,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,987 | ||
17 | Metallica ![]() |
30,790,000 | 8,707,000 | 6,446,000 | 16,670,000 | 5,459,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 2,270LD: 3,240 | 49,401,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,991 | ||
18 | Born in the U.S.A. ![]() |
29,300,000 | 13,852,000 | 9,360,000 | 7,100,000 | 2,241,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 810LD: 1,260 | 49,266,000 | Solo - Male | English | Rock | 1,984 | ||
19 | Brothers in Arms ![]() |
30,850,000 | 12,534,000 | 3,950,000 | 5,080,000 | 1,976,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 750LD: 1,130 | 47,304,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,985 | ||
20 | Let's Talk About Love ![]() |
29,800,000 | 12,117,000 | 12,350,000 | 5,520,000 | 1,114,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 490LD: 530 | 47,036,000 | Solo - Female | English | Pop | 1,997 | ||
21 | Dangerous ![]() |
29,550,000 | 11,404,000 | 10,000,000 | 6,910,000 | 1,887,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 680LD: 1,020 | 46,914,000 | Solo - Male | English | Pop | 1,991 | ||
22 | Come On Over ![]() |
33,500,000 | 7,644,000 | 9,450,000 | 6,000,000 | 1,805,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 960LD: 990 | 46,738,000 | Solo - Female | English | Country | 1,997 | ||
23 | Bridge over Troubled Water ![]() |
19,580,000 | 21,072,000 | 10,840,000 | 6,020,000 | 1,413,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 530LD: 560 | 46,220,000 | Group - Male | English | Folk | 1,970 | ||
24 | Abbey Road ![]() |
26,700,000 | 14,315,000 | 4,050,000 | 4,880,000 | 3,086,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,420LD: 1,780 | 46,017,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,969 | ||
25 | Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs ![]() |
6,040,000 | 34,523,000 | 2,455,000 | 4,040,000 | 1,101,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 470LD: 500 | 43,040,000 | Group | English | Rock | 1,970 | ||
26 | A Night at the Opera ![]() |
11,400,000 | 23,095,000 | 7,453,000 | 11,420,000 | 4,538,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,730LD: 1,970 | 42,982,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,975 | ||
27 | Falling Into You ![]() |
28,100,000 | 10,643,000 | 6,850,000 | 5,800,000 | 1,136,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 580LD: 610 | 42,864,000 | Solo - Female | English | Pop | 1,996 | ||
28 | Jagged Little Pill ![]() |
33,570,000 | 5,830,000 | 2,300,000 | 6,640,000 | 1,489,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 540LD: 770 | 42,575,000 | Solo - Female | English | Alternative | 1,995 | ||
29 | Abraxas ![]() |
11,870,000 | 27,235,000 | 2,754,000 | 3,050,000 | 600,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 260LD: 260 | 40,992,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,970 | ||
30 | Like A Virgin ![]() |
21,250,000 | 14,381,000 | 11,250,000 | 3,490,000 | 744,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 260LD: 370 | 40,273,000 | Solo - Female | English | Pop | 1,984 | ||
31 | The Doors ![]() |
13,810,000 | 23,154,000 | 3,201,000 | 3,650,000 | 1,440,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 560LD: 710 | 39,913,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,967 | ||
32 | Are You Experienced ![]() |
9,215,000 | 27,802,000 | 2,270,000 | 5,240,000 | 1,094,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 410LD: 450 | 39,583,000 | Solo - Male | English | Rock | 1,967 | ||
33 | The Fame / The Fame Monster ![]() |
15,745,000 | 4,141,000 | 1,180,000 | 79,360,000 | 7,269,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 3,680LD: 5,350 | 39,548,000 | Solo - Female | English | Pop | 2,008 | ||
34 | Purple Rain ![]() |
23,030,000 | 9,220,000 | 10,527,000 | 10,510,000 | 1,203,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 490LD: 510 | 38,219,000 | Solo - Male | English | Soul/Motown R&B | 1,984 | ||
35 | Synchronicity ![]() |
15,050,000 | 18,037,000 | 6,329,000 | 4,680,000 | 2,390,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,180LD: 1,930 | 38,099,000 | Group - Male | English | Alternative | 1,983 | ||
36 | The Eminem Show ![]() |
23,020,000 | 2,770,000 | 3,300,000 | 20,500,000 | 8,009,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 4,450LD: 6,920 | 37,864,000 | Solo - Male | English | Hip-hop/R&B | 2,002 | ||
37 | True Blue ![]() |
22,550,000 | 9,925,000 | 12,170,000 | 2,810,000 | 993,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 390LD: 650 | 37,540,000 | Solo - Female | English | Pop | 1,986 | ||
38 | Reckless ![]() |
12,300,000 | 19,604,000 | 5,000,000 | 7,500,000 | 2,508,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 1,100LD: 1,620 | 37,139,000 | Solo - Male | English | Rock | 1,984 | ||
39 | Arrival ![]() |
10,800,000 | 20,077,000 | 11,050,000 | 4,850,000 | 1,777,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 290LD: 1,320 | 36,697,000 | Group - Mixed | English | Pop | 1,976 | ||
40 | Titanic ![]() |
28,510,000 | 3,850,000 | 6,910,000 | 5,020,000 | 1,221,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 450LD: 540 | 36,407,000 | Solo - Male | English | Classical | 1,997 | ||
41 | Dirty Dancing ![]() |
29,970,000 | 2,907,000 | 4,250,000 | 3,750,000 | 1,565,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 600LD: 880 | 36,280,000 | Various | English | Pop | 1,987 | ||
42 | Elvis' Christmas Album ![]() |
3,850,000 | 30,548,000 | 1,830,000 | 2,430,000 | 917,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 360LD: 3,200 | 36,229,000 | Solo - Male | English | Seasonal | 1,957 | ||
43 | Hybrid Theory ![]() |
20,800,000 | 6,762,000 | 1,390,000 | 14,600,000 | 5,887,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 2,150LD: 4,330 | 36,056,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 2,000 | ||
44 | Bat Out of Hell ![]() |
27,410,000 | 6,709,000 | 2,900,000 | 2,240,000 | 589,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 240LD: 230 | 35,914,000 | Solo - Male | English | Rock | 1,977 | ||
45 | Machine Head ![]() |
9,045,000 | 24,224,000 | 2,202,000 | 3,670,000 | 939,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 400LD: 410 | 35,586,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,972 | ||
46 | The Marshall Mathers LP ![]() |
23,340,000 | 3,450,000 | 3,825,000 | 13,020,000 | 5,050,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 2,930LD: 4,560 | 34,939,000 | Solo - Male | English | Hip-hop/R&B | 2,000 | ||
47 | Led Zeppelin II ![]() |
21,900,000 | 9,937,000 | 2,500,000 | 6,490,000 | 1,346,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 540LD: 550 | 34,907,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,969 | ||
48 | Music Box ![]() |
26,100,000 | 5,550,000 | 6,470,000 | 3,000,000 | 690,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 250LD: 360 | 34,731,000 | Solo - Female | English | Pop | 1,993 | ||
49 | Help! ![]() |
9,850,000 | 19,465,000 | 11,150,000 | 2,730,000 | 1,509,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 680LD: 840 | 34,578,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,965 | ||
50 | Escape ![]() |
11,850,000 | 17,135,000 | 2,560,000 | 16,340,000 | 2,256,000 (11/30/23) | Av.: 900LD: 1,090 | 34,524,000 | Group - Male | English | Rock | 1,981 | ||
Album | Gender | Language | Genre | Year |
How it works
The table above shows the best-selling albums ever using the following ratios:
- Studio album: sales of the original album (ratio 1/1)
- Other LPs: sales of compilations generated thanks to the album (ratio 1/1)
- Physical singles: sales of physical singles from the album (added to CSPC total with a ratio 3/10 for 2-tracks, 5/10 for EPs and Maxis)
- Digital singles: sales of digital singles from the album (ratio 1.5/10 for CSPC total)
- Streaming: EAS of all the album tracks (ratio 1/1500 for Audio stream and 1/6750 for Video stream)
Sales figures reflect the value as collected at the time of the artist’s respective articles while streams are updated daily. Albums from unstudied artists which gained significant streams are listed but miss the sales component.
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