List of best-selling singles

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a compendium of the best-selling music singles, based on claimed sales by various sources, certified units by certifying authorities worldwide, as well as year-end singles charts by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

1942 10-inch 78 rpm release of the single "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby

A precise list of best-selling singles is hard to determine, as no organization has consistently tracked global music sales throughout history. Although the IFPI has published year-end global singles charts since 2007, it has never provided comprehensive all-time worldwide sales figures for singles. It is also difficult to compare the commercial performance of singles from different eras, due to shifts of music consumption over time. From the late 19th century to the early 2000s, physical singles were the major metric to measure a song's success. Digital downloads became the most dominant format between the mid-2000s and the mid-2010s, before being overtaken by music streaming.

According to the IFPI, a digital track purchase roughly equal to 0.3 of a physical single.[a] During the physical era, it was uncommon for singles to achieve Multi-Platinum certification compared to the digital era. During the first 55 years of RIAA certification (1958–2013), Elton John's "Something About the Way You Look Tonight"/"Candle in the Wind 1997" was the only single to receive Diamond certification for physical release.[2] After the inclusion of streaming for RIAA certifications in 2013, three digital singles were immediately certified Diamond that year.[3] By October 2019, a total of 33 singles had been certified Diamond by the RIAA.[4]

According to Guinness World Records, Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" (1942) is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.[5] The song's success was before the existence of certification systems, hence the accuracy is often disputed.[6][7] Guinness World Records also states that John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" is "the biggest-selling single since UK and US singles charts began in the 1950s, having accumulated worldwide sales of 33 million copies".[5] In 2023, Guinness World Records declared "Spotlight" by Chinese singer Xiao Zhan as the best-selling digital single of all time, with 54.3 million downloads.[8] In 2025, Guinness World Records declared that Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" was the best-selling single worldwide by a female artist, with over 24 million copies sold.[9] According to official certifications worldwide, Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" is the highest-certified single ever.

By claimed sales

Xiao Zhan's "Spotlight" was reported as the best-selling digital single of all time.

The following is a list of singles that have sold at least 20 million copies (pure sales) according to various sources. Since no official organization provides global record sales, reported figures are often exaggerations.[7][10] Therefore, this list is ordered by the release year of singles instead of their claimed sales figures.

More information Year, Single ...
Top singles with claimed pure sales of at least 20 million according to various sources
Year Single Artist Claimed sales
(in million)		 Ref.
1935 "Silent Night" Bing Crosby 30 [11]
1942 "White Christmas" Bing Crosby 50 [5]
1946 "Petit Papa Noël" Tino Rossi 30 [12]
1954 "Rock Around the Clock" Bill Haley & His Comets 25 [13][14]
1960 "It's Now or Never" Elvis Presley 20 [15][16]
1985 "We Are the World" USA for Africa 20 [17]
1992 "I Will Always Love You" Whitney Houston 24 [18]
1997 "Something About the Way You Look Tonight"/"Candle in the Wind 1997" Elton John 33 [5]
2010 "Rolling in the Deep" Adele 20.6 [19]
2020 "Spotlight" Xiao Zhan 54.3 [8]
Close

By certified units

1970s and earlier

Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist of Queen, whose "Bohemian Rhapsody" is the highest-certified single released in the 1970s
More information Single, Artist ...
Top 10 highest-certified singles released in the 1970s and earlier
Single Artist Released Certified units
(in million)
"Bohemian Rhapsody" Queen 1975
17.47
  • Australia: 560,000[20]
  • Brazil: 60,000[21]
  • Canada: 560,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • Germany: 750,000[24]
  • Italy: 500,000[25]
  • Japan: 100,000[26]
  • New Zealand: 210,000[27]
  • Portugal: 160,000[28]
  • Spain: 300,000[29]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 11,000,000[31]
"We Will Rock You" Queen 1977
12.17
"September" Earth, Wind & Fire 1978
11.88
  • Australia: 560,000[20]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • Germany: 900,000[24]
  • Italy: 200,000[25]
  • Japan: 100,000[26]
  • Mexico: 210,000[33]
  • New Zealand: 210,000[27]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 7,000,000[31]
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" Brenda Lee 1958
11.63
"Highway to Hell" AC/DC 1979
11.03
  • Brazil: 120,000[21]
  • Canada: 720,000[22]
  • Denmark: 90,000[23]
  • Germany: 900,000[24]
  • Italy: 300,000[25]
  • Mexico: 720,000[33]
  • New Zealand: 120,000[27]
  • Portugal: 80,000[28]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • UK: 1,800,000[30]
  • US: 6,000,000[31]
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain" Creedence Clearwater Revival 1971
10.02
"Fortunate Son" Creedence Clearwater Revival 1969
9.91
"Piano Man" Billy Joel 1973
9.81
"Don't Stop Me Now" Queen 1979
9.41
"We Are the Champions" Queen 1977
9.33
Close

1980s

Steve Perry, the lead vocalist of Journey, whose "Don't Stop Believin'" is the highest-certified single released in the 1980s
More information Single, Artist ...
Top 10 highest-certified singles released in the 1980s
Single Artist Released Certified units
(in million)
"Don't Stop Believin'" Journey 1981
26.52
  • Australia: 910,000[20]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • Germany: 1,200,000[35]
  • Italy: 50,000[25]
  • Mexico: 30,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 300,000[27]
  • Portugal: 30,000[28]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • UK: 4,200,000[30]
  • US: 19,500,000[31]
"Last Christmas" Wham! 1984
19.74
  • Australia: 560,000[20]
  • Canada: 720,000[22]
  • Denmark: 630,000[23]
  • Germany: 2,100,000[35]
  • Greece: 10,000[38]
  • Italy: 300,000[25]
  • Japan: 1,200,000[26]
  • Netherlands: 100,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 120,000[27]
  • Portugal: 75,000[28]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • UK: 4,800,000[30]
  • US: 9,000,000[31]
"Billie Jean" Michael Jackson 1983
18.2
  • Australia: 630,000[20]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • France: 1,000,000[37]
  • Germany: 900,000[35]
  • Italy: 140,000[25]
  • Japan: 100,000[26]
  • Mexico: 420,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 180,000[27]
  • Portugal: 75,000[28]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • UK: 3,500,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"Africa" Toto 1982
15.58
  • Australia: 980,000[20]
  • Canada: 50,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • Germany: 750,000[35]
  • Italy: 140,000[25]
  • New Zealand: 270,000[27]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"Livin' on a Prayer" Bon Jovi 1986
15.29
  • Australia: 770,000[20]
  • Brazil: 60,000[21]
  • Canada: 50,000[22]
  • Germany: 600,000[35]
  • Italy: 200,000[25]
  • Japan: 250,000[26]
  • New Zealand: 180,000[27]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"Thriller" Michael Jackson 1983
15.22
  • Australia: 420,000[20]
  • Canada: 480,000[22]
  • Denmark: 90,000[23]
  • France: 1,000,000[37]
  • Germany: 250,000[35]
  • Italy: 30,000[25]
  • Japan: 250,000[26]
  • Mexico: 270,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 60,000[27]
  • Portugal: 5,000[28]
  • Spain: 160,000[29]
  • UK: 1,700,000[30]
  • US: 10,500,000[31]
"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" Whitney Houston 1987
13.64
"Beat It" Michael Jackson 1983
13.43
  • Australia: 70,000[20]
  • Canada: 480,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • France: 1,000,000[37]
  • Germany: 500,000[20]
  • Italy: 100,000[20]
  • Japan: 250,000[20]
  • Mexico: 330,000[20]
  • Netherlands: 100,000[20]
  • New Zealand: 90,000[20]
  • Spain: 30,000[20]
  • UK: 1,800,000[20]
  • US: 8,500,000[20]
"Careless Whisper" George Michael 1984
11.50
  • Australia: 140,000[20]
  • Brazil: 180,000[21]
  • Canada: 400,000[22]
  • Denmark: 90,000[23]
  • France: 250,000[37]
  • Germany: 300,000[35]
  • Italy: 50,000[25]
  • Netherlands: 100,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 90,000[27]
  • Portugal: 40,000[28]
  • Spain: 60,000[29]
  • UK: 2,800,000[30]
  • US: 7,000,000[31]
"Back in Black" AC/DC 1980
11.48
Close

1990s

Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is the highest-certified single released in the 1990s
More information Single, Artist ...
Top 10 highest-certified singles released in the 1990s
Single Artist Released Certified units
(in million)
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" Mariah Carey 1994
33.41
  • Australia: 910,000[20]
  • Belgium: 10,000[42]
  • Brazil: 60,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 540,000[23]
  • Germany: 1,800,000[24]
  • Italy: 500,000[25]
  • Japan: 2,100,000[26]
  • New Zealand: 180,000[27]
  • Norway: 240,000[43]
  • Portugal: 30,000[28]
  • Spain: 240,000[29]
  • UK: 6,000,000[30]
  • US: 20,000,000[31]
"Candle in the Wind 1997" Elton John 1997
25.38
  • Australia: 980,000[20]
  • Austria: 300,000[44]
  • Belgium: 450,000[42]
  • Brazil: 60,000[21]
  • Canada: 1,900,000[22]
  • Czech Republic: 28,000[45]
  • Finland: 54,225[46]
  • France: 750,000[37]
  • Germany: 4,500,000[35]
  • Japan: 200,000[26]
  • Netherlands: 450,000[39]
  • Norway: 160,000[43]
  • Poland: 20,000[47]
  • Spain: 200,000[29]
  • Sweden: 210,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 450,000[48]
  • UK: 5,400,000[30]
  • US: 11,000,000[31]
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" Nirvana 1991
16.91
  • Australia: 840,000[20]
  • Brazil: 120,000[21]
  • Canada: 640,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • Germany: 1,200,000[35]
  • Italy: 300,000[25]
  • New Zealand: 210,000[27]
  • Portugal: 120,000[28]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • Sweden: 25,000[40]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"Iris" Goo Goo Dolls 1998
15.94
  • Australia: 140,000[20]
  • Belgium: 25,000[42]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 90,000[23]
  • Italy: 300,000[25]
  • New Zealand: 270,000[27]
  • Portugal: 50,000[28]
  • Spain: 60,000[29]
  • UK: 4,200,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"I Will Always Love You" Whitney Houston 1992
15.87
"Thunderstruck" AC/DC 1990
15.80
  • Australia: 700,000[20]
  • Brazil: 60,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • Germany: 900,000[35]
  • Italy: 300,000[25]
  • Mexico: 630,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 210,000[27]
  • Portugal: 40,000[28]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • UK: 1,800,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"My Heart Will Go On" Celine Dion 1997
10.92
  • Australia: 140,000[20]
  • Austria: 25,000[44]
  • Belgium: 150,000[42]
  • Canada: 320,000[22]
  • Denmark: 90,000[23]
  • France: 750,000[37]
  • Germany: 2,000,000[35]
  • Italy: 25,000[25]
  • Japan: 250,000[26]
  • Mexico: 30,000[36]
  • Netherlands: 150,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 60,000[27]
  • Spain: 30,000[29]
  • Switzerland: 100,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 4,000,000[31]
"...Baby One More Time" Britney Spears 1998
9.63
  • Australia: 210,000[20]
  • Austria: 50,000[44]
  • Belgium: 150,000[42]
  • Denmark: 90,000[23]
  • France: 500,000[37]
  • Germany: 750,000[35]
  • Italy: 100,000[25]
  • Netherlands: 75,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 60,000[27]
  • Norway: 60,000[43]
  • Portugal: 40,000[28]
  • Spain: 60,000[29]
  • Sweden: 30,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 50,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 5,000,000[31]
"Under the Bridge" Red Hot Chili Peppers 1992
9.26
  • Australia: 70,000[20]
  • Denmark: 90,000[23]
  • Germany: 250,000[35]
  • Italy: 200,000[25]
  • Netherlands: 75,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 210,000[27]
  • Spain: 60,000[29]
  • UK: 1,800,000[30]
  • US: 6,500,000[31]
"I'll Be Missing You" Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112 1997
9.10
  • Australia: 140,000[20]
  • Austria: 100,000[44]
  • Belgium: 200,000[42]
  • Canada: 100,000[22]
  • Denmark: 45,000[23]
  • France: 250,000[37]
  • Germany: 2,250,000[35]
  • Italy: 100,000[25]
  • Netherlands: 150,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 120,000[27]
  • Norway: 20,000[43]
  • Spain: 30,000[29]
  • Sweden: 90,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 100,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 3,000,000[31]
Close

2000s

Eminem's "Lose Yourself" is the highest-certified single released in the 2000s
More information Single, Artist ...
Top 10 highest-certified singles released in the 2000s
Single Artist Released Certified units
(in million)
"Lose Yourself" Eminem 2002
22.62
  • Australia: 1,400,000[20]
  • Austria: 30,000[44]
  • Belgium: 50,000[42]
  • Brazil: 60,000[21]
  • Canada: 480,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • Finland: 6,304[46]
  • France: 250,000[37]
  • Germany: 1,800,000[35]
  • Greece: 10,000[50]
  • Italy: 150,000[25]
  • Japan: 950,000[26]
  • New Zealand: 240,000[27]
  • Norway: 10,000[43]
  • Portugal: 120,000[28]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • Sweden: 30,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 40,000[48]
  • UK: 3,600,000[30]
  • US: 13,000,000[31]
"I Gotta Feeling" Black Eyed Peas 2009
22.26
  • Australia: 910,000[20]
  • Belgium: 60000[42]
  • Brazil: 250,000[21]
  • Canada: 400,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[32]
  • Germany: 1,200,000[24]
  • Italy: 210,000[25]
  • Japan: 250,000[26]
  • New Zealand: 210,000[27]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • Sweden: 20,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 60,000[48]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 15,000,000[31]
"Party in the U.S.A." Miley Cyrus 2009
19.85
  • Australia: 980,000[20]
  • Brazil: 120,000[21]
  • Canada: 160,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • Germany: 300,000[24]
  • Italy: 100,000[25]
  • Japan: 100,000[26]
  • New Zealand: 270,000[27]
  • Norway: 180,000[43]
  • Spain: 60,000[29]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 15,000,000[31]
"I'm Yours" Jason Mraz 2008
18.40
  • Australia: 210,000[20]
  • Austria: 15,000[44]
  • Belgium: 10,000[42]
  • Canada: 160,000[22]
  • Denmark: 360,000[23]
  • France: 150,000[37]
  • Germany: 150,000[35]
  • Italy: 150,000[25]
  • Japan: 100,000[26]
  • Mexico: 60,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 240,000[27]
  • Norway: 40,000[43]
  • Spain: 240,000[29]
  • Sweden: 10,000[40]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 13,500,000[31]
"Yeah!" Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris 2004
18.14
  • Australia: 630,000[20]
  • Austria: 15,000[44]
  • Belgium: 50,000[42]
  • Canada: 810,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • Germany: 600,000[35]
  • Italy: 70,000[25]
  • Japan: 100,000[26]
  • New Zealand: 180,000[27]
  • Norway: 10,000[43]
  • Spain: 60,000[29]
  • Sweden: 10,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 20,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 13,000,000[31]
"Hey, Soul Sister" Train 2009
17.93
  • Australia: 1,050,000[20]
  • Belgium: 15,000[42]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • Germany: 600,000[35]
  • Italy: 100,000[25]
  • Mexico: 60,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 180,000[27]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • Sweden: 10,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 15,000[48]
  • UK: 1,800,000[30]
  • US: 13,000,000[31]
"Halo" Beyoncé 2008
17.47
  • Australia: 910,000[20]
  • Brazil: 250,000[21]
  • Canada: 720,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • Germany: 900,000[35]
  • Italy: 150,000[25]
  • Mexico: 30,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 180,000[27]
  • Norway: 30,000[43]
  • Portugal: 20,000[28]
  • Spain: 80,000[29]
  • Switzerland: 30,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 11,500,000[31]
"Poker Face" Lady Gaga 2008
17.29
  • Australia: 1,050,000[20]
  • Austria: 90,000[44]
  • Belgium: 20,000 [42]
  • Brazil: 250,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Finland: 14,227[46]
  • Germany: 1,200,000[35]
  • Italy: 60,000[25]
  • Japan: 750,000[26]
  • New Zealand: 150,000[27]
  • Norway: 240,000[43]
  • Spain: 140,000[29]
  • Sweden: 40,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 90,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"Just Dance" Lady Gaga 2008
16.94
  • Australia: 980,000[20]
  • Austria: 60,000[44]
  • Belgium: 10,000[42]
  • Brazil: 250,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 30,000[23]
  • Germany: 600,000[35]
  • Italy: 100,000[25]
  • Japan: 200,000[26]
  • New Zealand: 150,000[27]
  • Norway: 180,000[43]
  • Spain: 100,000[29]
  • Sweden: 20,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 60,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 11,000,000[31]
"Tik Tok" Kesha 2009
16.68
  • Australia: 630,000[20]
  • Austria: 30,000[44]
  • Belgium: 30,000[42]
  • Canada: 320,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • Finland: 5,910[46]
  • France: 150,000[37]
  • Germany: 900,000[35]
  • Italy: 60,000[25]
  • Japan: 250,000[26]
  • Mexico: 60,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 150,000[27]
  • Spain: 40,000[29]
  • Sweden: 40,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 30,000[48]
  • UK: 1,800,000[30]
  • US: 12,000,000[31]
Close

2010s

Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" is the highest-certified single released in the 2010s
More information Single, Artist ...
Top 10 highest-certified singles released in the 2010s
Single Artist Released Certified units
(in million)
"Shape of You" Ed Sheeran 2017
34.68
  • Australia: 1,190,000[20]
  • Austria: 180,000[44]
  • Belgium: 140,000[42]
  • Canada: 1,600,000[22]
  • Denmark: 810,000[23]
  • France: 233,333[37]
  • Germany: 2,400,000[24]
  • Italy: 500,000[25]
  • Japan: 250,000[26]
  • Netherlands: 80,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 390,000[27]
  • Poland: 1,250,000[47]
  • Portugal: 80,000[28]
  • South Korea: 5,000,000[51]
  • Spain: 440,000[29]
  • Sweden: 360,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 180,000[48]
  • UK: 6,600,000[30]
  • US: 13,000,000[31]
"Sunflower" Post Malone and Swae Lee 2018
28.46
  • Australia: 1,400,000[20]
  • Belgium: 20,000[42]
  • Brazil: 800,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • France: 433,333[37]
  • Germany: 600,000[24]
  • Italy: 200,000[25]
  • Mexico: 300,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 330,000[27]
  • Poland: 150,000[47]
  • Portugal: 40,000[28]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 20,000,000[31]
"Thinking Out Loud" Ed Sheeran 2014
27.13
  • Australia: 910,000[20]
  • Austria: 90,000[44]
  • Belgium: 40,000[42]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 540,000[23]
  • France: 75,000[37]
  • Germany: 600,000[35]
  • Italy: 350,000[25]
  • Mexico: 90,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 330,000[27]
  • Portugal: 40,000[28]
  • Spain: 300,000[29]
  • Sweden: 40,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 120,000[48]
  • UK: 4,800,000[30]
  • US: 18,000,000[31]
"Just the Way You Are" Bruno Mars 2010
27.05
  • Australia: 490,000[20]
  • Austria: 30,000[44]
  • Belgium: 30,000[42]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • Germany: 750,000[35]
  • Ireland: 15,000[52]
  • Italy: 100,000[25]
  • Japan: 100,000[26]
  • Mexico: 60,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 240,000[27]
  • Portugal: 40,000[28]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • Switzerland: 30,000[48]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 21,000,000[31]
"Old Town Road" Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus 2018
25.77
  • Australia: 1,050,000[20]
  • Austria: 120,000[44]
  • Belgium: 160,000[42]
  • Brazil: 520,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[37]
  • Germany: 1,000,000[35]
  • Italy: 100,000[25]
  • Mexico: 540,000[36]
  • Netherlands: 240,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 240,000[27]
  • Norway: 240,000[43]
  • Poland: 100,000[47]
  • Portugal: 40,000[28]
  • Spain: 20,000[29]
  • Switzerland: 100,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 17,500,000[31]
"Take Me to Church" Hozier 2013
25.57
  • Australia: 1,260,000[20]
  • Austria: 30,000[44]
  • Belgium: 60,000[42]
  • Brazil: 500,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 360,000[23]
  • France: 233,333[37]
  • Germany: 1,050,000[35]
  • Italy: 350,000[25]
  • Mexico: 30,000[36]
  • Netherlands: 90,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 270,000[27]
  • Norway: 70,000[43]
  • Portugal: 40,000[28]
  • Spain: 240,000[29]
  • Sweden: 360,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 30,000[48]
  • UK: 4,800,000[30]
  • US: 15,000,000[31]
"Closer" The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey 2016
25.18
  • Australia: 1,400,000[20]
  • Austria: 30,000[44]
  • Belgium: 60,000[42]
  • Brazil: 750,000[21]
  • Canada: 1,600,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • France: 233,333[37]
  • Germany: 800,000[35]
  • Italy: 300,000[25]
  • Mexico: 750,000[36]
  • Netherlands: 40,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 270,000[27]
  • Norway: 180,000[43]
  • Poland: 100,000[47]
  • Portugal: 20,000[28]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • Sweden: 200,000[40]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 15,000,000[31]
"Starboy" The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk 2016
24.35
  • Australia: 1,050,000[20]
  • Belgium: 40,000[42]
  • Brazil: 1,000,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 360,000[23]
  • France: 233,333[37]
  • Germany: 1,200,000[35]
  • Italy: 400,000[25]
  • Mexico: 90,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 270,000[27]
  • Norway: 120,000[43]
  • Poland: 250,000[47]
  • Portugal: 200,000[28]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • Sweden: 160,000[40]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 15,000,000[31]
"Sweater Weather" The Neighbourhood 2012
24.18
  • Australia: 700,000[20]
  • Brazil: 1,750,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • Germany: 900,000[35]
  • Hungary: 44,000[53]
  • Italy: 200,000[25]
  • Mexico: 870,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 150,000[27]
  • Portugal: 70,000[28]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 16,000,000[31]
"Radioactive" Imagine Dragons 2012
24.10
  • Australia: 700,000[20]
  • Austria: 60,000[44]
  • Belgium: 15,000[42]
  • Brazil: 1,000,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 15,000[23]
  • Germany: 1,200,000[35]
  • Italy: 200,000[25]
  • Mexico: 60,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 180,000[27]
  • Norway: 20,000[43]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • Sweden: 240,000[40]
  • Switzerland: 30,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 17,000,000[31]
Close

2020s

Glass Animals's "Heat Waves" is the highest-certified single released in the 2020s
More information Single, Artist ...
Top 10 highest-certified singles released in the 2020s
Single Artist Released Certified units
(in million)
"Heat Waves" Glass Animals 2020
24.95
  • Australia: 1,610,000[20]
  • Austria: 150,000[44]
  • Brazil: 480,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[37]
  • Germany: 1,000,000[35]
  • India: 6,120,000[54]
  • Italy: 400,000[25]
  • New Zealand: 240,000[27]
  • Poland: 250,000[47]
  • Portugal: 60,000[28]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • Switzerland: 120,000[48]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"Save Your Tears" The Weeknd 2020
19.24
  • Australia: 1,120,000[20]
  • Austria: 90,000[44]
  • Belgium: 40,000[42]
  • Brazil: 960,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 360,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[37]
  • Germany: 800,000[35]
  • Italy: 500,000[25]
  • New Zealand: 360,000[27]
  • Norway: 240,000[43]
  • Poland: 250,000[47]
  • Portugal: 90,000[28]
  • Spain: 300,000[29]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"Stay" The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber 2021
17.79
  • Australia: 1,190,000[20]
  • Austria: 60,000[44]
  • Belgium: 80,000[42]
  • Brazil: 480,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 360,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[37]
  • Germany: 200,000[35]
  • Italy: 400,000[25]
  • Mexico: 210,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 210,000[27]
  • Norway: 120,000[43]
  • Poland: 200,000[47]
  • Portugal: 50,000[28]
  • Spain: 240,000[29]
  • Switzerland: 60,000[48]
  • UK: 1,800,000[30]
  • US: 11,000,000[31]
"Flowers" Miley Cyrus 2023
17.03
  • Australia: 700,000[20]
  • Austria: 150,000[44]
  • Belgium: 120,000[42]
  • Brazil: 800,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[37]
  • Germany: 900,000[35]
  • Hungary: 44,000[53]
  • Italy: 400,000[25]
  • Mexico: 2,100,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 180,000[27]
  • Poland: 250,000[47]
  • Portugal: 60,000[28]
  • Spain: 420,000[29]
  • Switzerland: 100,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 7,000,000[31]
"As It Was" Harry Styles 2022
16.18
  • Australia: 840,000[20]
  • Austria: 60,000[44]
  • Brazil: 1,600,000[21]
  • Canada: 640,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[37]
  • Germany: 600,000[35]
  • Hungary: 32,000[53]
  • Italy: 500,000[25]
  • Mexico: 1,470,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 150,000[27]
  • Poland: 250,000[47]
  • Portugal: 80,000[28]
  • Spain: 360,000[29]
  • Switzerland: 80,000[48]
  • UK: 3,000,000[30]
  • US: 6,000,000[31]
"Levitating" Dua Lipa 2020
16.12
  • Australia: 560,000[20]
  • Austria: 90,000[44]
  • Belgium: 20,000[42]
  • Brazil: 160,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 270,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[37]
  • Germany: 400,000[35]
  • Italy: 300,000[25]
  • New Zealand: 270,000[27]
  • Norway: 120,000[43]
  • Poland: 250,000[47]
  • Portugal: 30,000[28]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"Lose Control" Teddy Swims 2023
15.78
  • Australia: 490,000[20]
  • Austria: 60,000[44]
  • Belgium: 40,000[42]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[37]
  • Germany: 300,000[35]
  • Italy: 100,000[25]
  • Netherlands: 232,500[39]
  • New Zealand: 270,000[27]
  • Poland: 225,000[47]
  • Portugal: 70,000[28]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • Switzerland: 100,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 10,000,000[31]
"Beautiful Things" Benson Boone 2024
14.84
  • Australia: 840,000[20]
  • Austria: 90,000[44]
  • Belgium: 120,000[42]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[37]
  • Germany: 600,000[35]
  • Italy: 200,000[25]
  • Mexico: 350,000[36]
  • Netherlands: 93,000[39]
  • New Zealand: 210,000[27]
  • Poland: 250,000[47]
  • Portugal: 70,000[28]
  • Spain: 180,000[29]
  • Switzerland: 120,000[48]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 8,000,000[31]
"Something in the Orange" Zach Bryan 2022
14.82
  • Australia: 560,000[20]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 45,000[23]
  • New Zealand: 210,000[27]
  • UK: 1,200,000[30]
  • US: 12,000,000[31]
"Good 4 U" Olivia Rodrigo 2021
14.45
  • Australia: 770,000[20]
  • Brazil: 800,000[21]
  • Canada: 800,000[22]
  • Denmark: 180,000[23]
  • France: 333,333[37]
  • Germany: 600,000[35]
  • Italy: 70,000[25]
  • Mexico: 980,000[36]
  • New Zealand: 150,000[27]
  • Norway: 120,000[43]
  • Poland: 100,000[47]
  • Portugal: 30,000[28]
  • Spain: 120,000[29]
  • UK: 2,400,000[30]
  • US: 7,000,000[31]
Close

By year

Kesha's "Tik Tok" is the first single to sell over 10 million digital copies in a year according to the IFPI.
The Weeknd is the first artist to top the IFPI's year-end global single chart twice, with "Blinding Lights" in 2020 and "Save Your Tears" in 2021.
Rosé is the first artist outside of North America or Europe to top the IFPI's year-end global single chart, with "APT." in 2025.
More information Year, Single ...
Best-selling singles of the year reported by various sources (non-IFPI)
Year Single Artist Ref.
1966 "The Ballad of the Green Berets" Barry Sadler [55]
1968 "Hey Jude" The Beatles [56]
1969 "Sugar, Sugar" The Archies [57]
1990 "Vogue" Madonna [58]
1996 "Killing Me Softly" Fugees [59]
1998 "My Heart Will Go On" Celine Dion [60]
Close
More information Year, Single ...
IFPI's top singles of the year based on pure digital sales
Year Single Artist Sales
(in million)		 Ref.
2007 "Girlfriend" Avril Lavigne 7.3 [61]
2008 "Lollipop" Lil Wayne featuring Static Major 9.1 [62]
2009 "Poker Face" Lady Gaga 9.8 [63]
2010 "Tik Tok" Kesha 12.8 [64]
2011 "Just the Way You Are" Bruno Mars 12.5 [65]
2012 "Call Me Maybe" Carly Rae Jepsen 12.5 [65]
Close
More information Year, Single ...
IFPI's top singles of the year based on track-equivalent units
Year Single Artist Units
(in million)		 Ref.
2013 "Blurred Lines" Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell 14.8 [66]
2014 "Happy" Pharrell Williams 13.9 [67]
2015 "See You Again" Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth 20.9 [68]
2016 "One Dance" Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla 12.5 [69][70]
2017 "Shape of You" Ed Sheeran 26.6 [70]
2018 "Havana" Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug 19 [71]
2019 "Bad Guy" Billie Eilish 19.5 [72]
Close
More information Year, Single ...
IFPI's top singles of the year based on subscription-stream equivalents
Year Single Artist Streams

(in billion)

 Ref.
2020 "Blinding Lights" The Weeknd 2.72 [73][74]
2021 "Save Your Tears" The Weeknd 2.15 [74]
2022 "As It Was" Harry Styles 2.28 [75]
2023 "Flowers" Miley Cyrus 2.70 [76]
2024 "Beautiful Things" Benson Boone 2.11 [77]
2025 "APT." Rosé and Bruno Mars 2.06 [78]
Close

See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    1 album sold equals 3 physical singles or 10 track downloads.[1]

References

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