Having an album diamond-certified by the Recording Industry Association of America is an accolade many artists would love to have. It is the highest honor in music when it comes to sales, awarded to albums that have sold at least 10 million equivalent units, including physical albums, streams, and downloads. (These are the artists who have sold the most songs online.)
To determine all studio albums that have achieved diamond certification, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on certified U.S. album sales from the RIAA. Albums were ranked based on certified U.S. sales as of December 2022. Data on Billboard 200 chart performance is current through the week of December 24, 2022.
The final list contains a whopping 92 albums, dating back to 1957, when Elvis Presley released “Elvis’ Christmas Album.” (And these the most popular songs of his career.)
Of the nearly 100 albums on the list, 27 are by women or female-fronted bands such as No Doubt, Fleetwood Mac, and The Chicks.
Aside from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” which is famously known as the best-selling album ever released, the top 20 comprises mostly rock albums, with the occasional exceptions of albums by country legends Garth Brooks and Shania Twain. (These are the greatest country music stars of all time.)
Click here to see every diamond-certified studio album ever released
92. Garth Brooks, “Sevens”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 58 weeks
> Release year: 1997
[in-text-ad]
91. Garth Brooks, “The Chase”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 64 weeks
> Release year: 1992
90. Garth Brooks, “In Pieces”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 76 weeks
> Release year: 1993
89. Britney Spears, “Oops!…I Did It Again”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 84 weeks
> Release year: 2000
88. Lauryn Hill, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 91 weeks
> Release year: 1998
87. Stevie Wonder, “Songs in the Key of Life”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 82 weeks
> Release year: 1976
86. Van Halen, “1984”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 83 weeks
> Release year: 1984
[in-text-ad-2]
85. Whitney Houston, “Whitney”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 88 weeks
> Release year: 1987
84. The Smashing Pumpkins, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 93 weeks
> Release year: 1995
83. REO Speedwagon, “Hi Infidelity”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 101 weeks
> Release year: 1980
82. 2Pac, “All Eyez on Me”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 122 weeks
> Release year: 1996
[in-text-ad]
81. Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 7 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 115 weeks
> Release year: 1969
80. Madonna, “Like a Virgin”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 109 weeks
> Release year: 1984
79. Usher, “Confessions”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 148 weeks
> Release year: 2004
78. Beastie Boys, “Licensed to Ill”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 152 weeks
> Release year: 1986
77. Mariah Carey, “Music Box”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 128 weeks
> Release year: 1993
76. Def Leppard, “Pyromania”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 123 weeks
> Release year: 1983
[in-text-ad-2]
75. Nelly, “Country Grammar”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 104 weeks
> Release year: 2000
74. Van Halen, “Van Halen”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 19 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 173 weeks
> Release year: 1978
73. U2, “The Joshua Tree”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 121 weeks
> Release year: 1987
72. No Doubt, “Tragic Kingdom”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 91 weeks
> Release year: 1996
[in-text-ad]
71. George Michael, “Faith”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 96 weeks
> Release year: 1987
70. Green Day, “Dookie”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 116 weeks
> Release year: 1994
69. M.C. Hammer, “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 21 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 108 weeks
> Release year: 1990
68. ‘N Sync, “‘N Sync”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 109 weeks
> Release year: 1998
67. Journey, “Escape”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 153 weeks
> Release year: 1981
66. Evanescence, “Fallen”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 114 weeks
> Release year: 2003
[in-text-ad-2]
65. Lionel Richie, “Can’t Slow Down”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 160 weeks
> Release year: 1983
64. ZZ Top, “Eliminator”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 9 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 185 weeks
> Release year: 1983
63. Garth Brooks, “Garth Brooks”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 13 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 224 weeks
> Release year: 1990
62. Taylor Swift, “Fearless”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 261 weeks
> Release year: 2008
[in-text-ad]
61. Nickelback, “All the Right Reasons”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 206 weeks
> Release year: 2005
60. Nirvana, “Nevermind”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 604 weeks
> Release year: 1991
59. OutKast, “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 56 weeks
> Release year: 2003
58. The Notorious B.I.G., “Life After Death”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 90 weeks
> Release year: 1997
57. ‘N Sync, “No Strings Attached”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 82 weeks
> Release year: 2000
56. Mariah Carey, “Daydream”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 81 weeks
> Release year: 1995
[in-text-ad-2]
55. Shania Twain, “Up!”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 93 weeks
> Release year: 2002
54. Celine Dion, “Let’s Talk About Love”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 84 weeks
> Release year: 1997
53. Led Zeppelin, “Houses of the Holy”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 106 weeks
> Release year: 1973
52. Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 173 weeks
> Release year: 2000
[in-text-ad]
51. Kid Rock, “Devil Without a Cause”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 111 weeks
> Release year: 1998
50. Billy Joel, “The Stranger”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 138 weeks
> Release year: 1977
49. Creed, “Human Clay”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 104 weeks
> Release year: 1999
24/7 Wall St.
48. Michael Jackson, “Bad”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 171 weeks
> Release year: 1987
47. The Chicks, “Fly”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 131 weeks
> Release year: 1999
46. Adele, “25”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 10 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 213 weeks
> Release year: 2015
[in-text-ad-2]
45. The Beatles, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 232 weeks
> Release year: 1967
44. Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin II”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 117 weeks
> Release year: 1969
43. Boyz II Men, “II”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 99 weeks
> Release year: 1994
42. Bon Jovi, “Slippery When Wet”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 118 weeks
> Release year: 1986
[in-text-ad]
41. TLC, “CrazySexyCool”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 119 weeks
> Release year: 1994
40. Phil Collins, “No Jacket Required”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 123 weeks
> Release year: 1985
39. Shania Twain, “The Woman in Me”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 107 weeks
> Release year: 1995
38. Jewel, “Pieces of You”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 114 weeks
> Release year: 1996
37. matchbox 20, “Yourself Or Someone Like You”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 121 weeks
> Release year: 1997
36. Celine Dion, “Falling Into You”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 113 weeks
> Release year: 1996
[in-text-ad-2]
35. Def Leppard, “Hysteria”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 136 weeks
> Release year: 1987
34. Kenny G, “Breathless”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 11 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 214 weeks
> Release year: 1992
33. Norah Jones, “Come Away With Me”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 165 weeks
> Release year: 2002
32. Linkin Park, “[Hybrid Theory]”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 281 weeks
> Release year: 2000
[in-text-ad]
31. The Beatles, “Abbey Road”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 482 weeks
> Release year: 1969
30. Eminem, “The Eminem Show”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 429 weeks
> Release year: 2002
29. Backstreet Boys, “Millennium”
> Certified U.S. sales: 13 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 10 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 93 weeks
> Release year: 1999
28. The Chicks, “Wide Open Spaces”
> Certified U.S. sales: 13 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 134 weeks
> Release year: 1998
27. Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston”
> Certified U.S. sales: 13 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 176 weeks
> Release year: 1985
26. Pearl Jam, “Ten”
> Certified U.S. sales: 13 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 264 weeks
> Release year: 1991
[in-text-ad-2]
25. Meat Loaf, “Bat Out Of Hell”
> Certified U.S. sales: 14 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 13 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 83 weeks
> Release year: 1977
24. Britney Spears, “…Baby One More Time”
> Certified U.S. sales: 14 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 103 weeks
> Release year: 1999
23. Garth Brooks, “Ropin’ the Wind”
> Certified U.S. sales: 14 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 18 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 132 weeks
> Release year: 1991
22. Backstreet Boys, “Backstreet Boys”
> Certified U.S. sales: 14 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 133 weeks
> Release year: 1997
[in-text-ad]
21. Carole King, “Tapestry”
> Certified U.S. sales: 14 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 318 weeks
> Release year: 1971
20. Adele, “21”
> Certified U.S. sales: 14 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 543 weeks
> Release year: 2011
19. Santana, “Supernatural”
> Certified U.S. sales: 15 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 103 weeks
> Release year: 1999
18. Pink Floyd, “The Dark Side of the Moon”
> Certified U.S. sales: 15 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 961 weeks
> Release year: 1973
17. Led Zeppelin, “Physical Graffiti”
> Certified U.S. sales: 16 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 48 weeks
> Release year: 1975
16. Alanis Morissette, “Jagged Little Pill”
> Certified U.S. sales: 16 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 127 weeks
> Release year: 1995
[in-text-ad-2]
15. Metallica, “Metallica”
> Certified U.S. sales: 16 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 689 weeks
> Release year: 1991
14. Elvis Presley, “Elvis’ Christmas Album”
> Certified U.S. sales: 17 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 25 (for 1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 75 weeks
> Release year: 1957
13. Boston, “Boston”
> Certified U.S. sales: 17 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 138 weeks
> Release year: 1976
12. Bruce Springsteen, “Born in the U.S.A.”
> Certified U.S. sales: 17 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 143 weeks
> Release year: 1984
[in-text-ad]
11. Guns N’ Roses, “Appetite for Destruction”
> Certified U.S. sales: 18 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 257 weeks
> Release year: 1987
10. Garth Brooks, “No Fences”
> Certified U.S. sales: 18 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 224 weeks
> Release year: 1990
9. Shania Twain, “Come on Over”
> Certified U.S. sales: 20 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 151 weeks
> Release year: 1997
24/7 Wall St.
8. Fleetwood Mac, “Rumours”
> Certified U.S. sales: 20 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 31 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 506 weeks
> Release year: 1977
7. Hootie & The Blowfish, “Cracked Rear View”
> Certified U.S. sales: 21 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 129 weeks
> Release year: 1994
6. Pink Floyd, “The Wall”
> Certified U.S. sales: 23 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 158 weeks
> Release year: 1979
[in-text-ad-2]
5. The Beatles, “The Beatles [White Album]”
> Certified U.S. sales: 24 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 215 weeks
> Release year: 1968
4. Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin IV”
> Certified U.S. sales: 24 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 286 weeks
> Release year: 1971
3. AC/DC, “Back in Black”
> Certified U.S. sales: 25 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 545 weeks
> Release year: 1980
2. Eagles, “Hotel California”
> Certified U.S. sales: 26 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 157 weeks
> Release year: 1976
[in-text-ad]
1. Michael Jackson, “Thriller”
> Certified U.S. sales: 34 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 37 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard 200: 551 weeks
> Release year: 1982
Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
