The list of best-selling albums in the UK is based on British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certifications, and sales figures published by Official Charts and Music Week.
The best-selling album in the UK is Queen’s Greatest Hits I which sold 6,900,000 copies and became 23 times platinum. These figures also include the sales of Greatest Hits I as part of the double set Greatest Hits I and II and the triple set The Platinum Collection, also known as Greatest Hits I, II and III. The best-selling studio album in the UK is Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles with sales of 5,340,000 copies. 21 by Adele is the best-selling album released in the 21st century, as well as the fourth album to cross the five million mark.
Certification levels for albums in the United Kingdom
The BPI has been certifying music recordings since 1973. Initially certification levels were based on monetary revenue: Silver album- £ 75,000, Gold – £ 150,000, Platinum – £ 1,000,000. In 1979, BPI installed new ones, a silver album – 60,000 copies, gold – 100,000, platinum – 300,000. In 1979, BPI set new rules that still apply today: Silver album – 60,000 copies, Gold – 100,000, Platinum – 300,000. Multi-platinum awards (2x Platinum, 3x Platinum, etc.) were introduced only in February 1987. BPI awarded albums released before April 1973 retroactively in February 2016 for all previous sales. From June 2015, audio streams were added to album certifications.
List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom
| № | Artist | Album | Certification or source | Sales | Year release |
| 1 | QUEEN | GREATEST HITS I | 23x Platinum | 6,900,000 | 1981 |
| 2 | ABBA | GOLD – GREATEST HITS | 20x Platinum | 6,000,000 | 1992 |
| 3 | THE BEATLES | SGT. PEPPER`S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND | 18x Platinum | 5,400,000 | 1967 |
| 4 | ADELE | 21 | 17x Platinum | 5,170,000 | 2011 |
| 5 | OASIS | (WHAT`S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY? | 16x Platinum | 4,940,000 | 1995 |
| 6 | MICHAEL JACKSON | THRILLER | 15x Platinum | 4,500,000 | 1982 |
| 7 | FLEETWOOD MAC | RUMOURS | 15x Platinum | 4,500,000 | 1977 |
| 8 | PINK FLOYD | DARK SIDE OF THE MOON | 15x Platinum | 4,500,000 | 1973 |
| 9 | DIRE STRAITS | BROTHERS IN ARMS | 14x Platinum | 4,350,000 | 1985 |
| 10 | AMY WINEHOUSE | BACK TO BLACK | 14x Platinum | 4,200,000 | 2006 |
| 11 | MICHAEL JACKSON | BAD | 14x Platinum | 4,200,000 | 1987 |
| 12 | QUEEN | GREATEST HITS II | 13x Platinum | 3,990,000 | 1991 |
| 13 | BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS | LEGEND | 13x Platinum | 3,900,000 | 1984 |
| 14 | SIMPLY RED | STARS | 12x Platinum + 1x Gold | 3,700,000 | 1991 |
| 15 | MADONNA | THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION | 12x Platinum | 3,700,000 | 1990 |
| 16 | ED SHEERAN | DIVIDE | 12x Platinum | 3,600,000 | 2017 |
| 17 | ADELE | 25 | 12x Platinum | 3,600,000 | 2015 |
| 18 | ED SHEERAN | X | 12x Platinum | 3,600,000 | 2014 |
| 19 | THE BEATLES | 1 | 12x Platinum | 3,600,000 | 2000 |
| 20 | SHANIA TWAIN | COME ON OVER | 10x Platinum | 3,430,000 | 1997 |
| 21 | MEAT LOAF | BAT OUT OF HELL | 11x Platinum | 3,370,000 | 1977 |
| 22 | JAMES BLUNT | BACK TO BEDLAM | 11x Platinum | 3,360,000 | 2004 |
| 23 | THE VERVE | URBAN HYMNS | 11x Platinum | 3,340,000 | 1997 |
| 24 | SIMON & GARFUNKEL | BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER | 11x Platinum | 3,300,000 | 1970 |
| 25 | LEONA LEWIS | SPIRIT | 10x Platinum | 3,170,000 | 2007 |
| 26 | MICHAEL BUBLÉ | CRAZY LOVE | 10x Platinum | 3,130,000 | 2009 |
| 27 | DIDO | NO ANGEL | 9x Platinum | 3,096,000 | 1999 |
| 28 | DAVID GRAY | WHITE LADDER | 10x Platinum | 3,040,000 | 1998 |
| 29 | MICHAEL BUBLÉ | CHRISTMAS | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 | 2011 |
| 30 | KINGS OF LEON | ONLY BY THE NIGHT | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 | 2008 |
| 31 | LADY GAGA | THE FAME | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 | 2008 |
| 32 | COLDPLAY | A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 | 2002 |
| 33 | ROBBIE WILLIAMS | I`VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 | 1998 |
| 34 | SPICE GIRLS | SPICE | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 | 1996 |
| 35 | ALANIS MORISSETTE | JAGGED LITTLE PILL | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 | 1995 |
| 36 | SOUNDTRACK | DIRTY DANCING | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 | 1987 |
| 37 | THE CORRS | TALK ON CORNERS | 9x Platinum | 2,960,000 | 1995 |
| 38 | DIDO | LIFE FOR RENT | 7x Platinum | 2,900,000 | 2003 |
| 39 | TAKE THAT | BEAUTIFUL WORLD | 8x Platinum | 2,880,000 | 2006 |
| 40 | U2 | THE JOSHUA TREE | 9x Platinum | 2,880,000 | 1987 |
| 41 | KEANE | HOPES AND FEARS | 9x Platinum | 2,871,000 | 2004 |
| 42 | JEFF WAYNE | THE WAR OF THE WORLDS | 9x Platinum | 2,800,000 | 1978 |
| 43 | COLDPLAY | X&Y | 9x Platinum | 2,790,000 | 2005 |
| 44 | SCISSOR SISTERS | SCISSOR SISTERS | 9x Platinum | 2,760,000 | 2004 |
| 45 | MIKE OLDFIELD | TUBULAR BELLS | 9x Platinum | 2,760,000 | 1973 |
| 46 | PHIL COLLINS | BUT SERIOUSLY | 9x Platinum | 2,750,000 | 1989 |
| 47 | COLDPLAY | PARACHUTES | 9x Platinum | 2,730,000 | 2000 |
| 48 | TRACY CHAPMAN | TRACY CHAPMAN | 9x Platinum | 2,710,000 | 1988 |
| 49 | SAM SMITH | IN THE LONELY HOUR | 9x Platinum | 2,700,000 | 2014 |
| 50 | MICHAEL JACKSON | NUMBER ONES | 9x Platinum | 2,700,000 | 2003 |
| 51 | TRAVIS | THE MAN WHO | 9x Platinum | 2,700,000 | 1999 |
| 52 | GEORGE MICHAEL | LADIES & GENTLEMEN – THE BEST OF GEORGE MICHAEL | 9x Platinum | 2,700,000 | 1998 |
| 53 | ELTON JOHN | THE VERY BEST OF ELTON JOHN | 9x Platinum | 2,700,000 | 1990 |
| 54 | ABBA | GREATEST HITS | 8x Platinum | 2,598,000 | 1975 |
| 55 | NORAH JONES | COME AWAY WITH ME | 8x Platinum | 2,556,000 | 2002 |
| 56 | EMINEM | THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP | 8x Platinum | 2,530,000 | 2000 |
| 57 | FLEETWOOD MAC | TANGO IN THE NIGHT | 8x Platinum | 2,500,000 | 1987 |
| 58 | ADELE | 19 | 8x Platinum | 2,450,000 | 2008 |
| 59 | ED SHEERAN | + | 8x Platinum | 2,443,000 | 2011 |
| 60 | SOUNDTRACK | THE SOUND OF MUSIC | 8x Platinum | 2,438,000 | 1965 |
| 61 | EMELI SANDE | OUR VERSION OF EVENTS | 8x Platinum | 2,430,000 | 2012 |
| 62 | SNOW PATROL | EYES OPEN | 8x Platinum | 2,418,000 | 2006 |
| 63 | SOUNDTRACK | THE GREATEST SHOWMAN | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 2017 |
| 64 | TAKE THAT | PROGRESS | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 2010 |
| 65 | EMINEM | CURTAIN CALL: THE HITS | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 2005 |
| 66 | TAKE THAT | NEVER FORGET – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 2005 |
| 67 | ROBBIE WILLIAMS | GREATEST HITS | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 2004 |
| 68 | ROBBIE WILLIAMS | SWING WHEN YOU`RE WINNING | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 2001 |
| 69 | ROBBIE WILLIAMS | SING WHEN YOU`RE WINNING | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 2000 |
| 70 | ROBBIE WILLIAMS | LIFE THRU A LENS | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 1997 |
| 71 | OASIS | DEFINITELY MAYBE | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 1994 |
| 72 | TINA TURNER | SIMPLY THE BEST | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 1991 |
| 73 | ROD STEWART | THE BEST OF ROD STEWART (1989) | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 1989 |
| 74 | PAUL SIMON | GRACELAND | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 1986 |
| 75 | SOUNDTRACK | GREASE | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 1978 |
| 76 | THE BEATLES | ABBEY ROAD | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 | 1969 |
| 77 | ROBSON & JEROME | ROBSON & JEROME | 6x Platinum | 2,336,000 | 1995 |
| 78 | R.E.M. | AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE | 7x Platinum | 2,270,000 | 1992 |
| 79 | THE KILLERS | HOT FUSS | 7x Platinum | 2,244,000 | 2004 |
| 80 | WHITNEY HOUSTON | WHITNEY | 7x Platinum | 2,237,000 | 1987 |
| 81 | DUFFY | ROCKFERRY | 7x Platinum | 2,200,000 | 2008 |
| 82 | BEE GEES | SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (SOUNDTRACK) | 7x Platinum | 2,151,000 | 1977 |
| 83 | GREEN DAY | AMERICAN IDIOT | 7x Platinum | 2,150,000 | 2004 |
| 84 | WHITNEY HOUSTON | THE BODYGUARD (SOUNDTRACK) | 7x Platinum | 2,138,000 | 1992 |
| 85 | KYLIE MINOGUE | KYLIE | 6x Platinum | 2,105,000 | 1988 |
| 86 | NOW SERIES (UK) | NOW THAT`S WHAT I CALL CHRISTMAS | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 2012 |
| 87 | SUSAN BOYLE | I DREAMED A DREAM | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 2009 |
| 88 | TAKE THAT | THE CIRCUS | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 2008 |
| 89 | RIHANNA | GOOD GIRL GONE BAD | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 2007 |
| 90 | GUNS N` ROSES | GREATEST HITS | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 2004 |
| 91 | MAROON 5 | SONGS ABOUT JANE | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 2002 |
| 92 | RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS | BY THE WAY | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 2002 |
| 93 | QUEEN | THE PLATINUM COLLECTION | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 2000 |
| 94 | NOW SERIES (UK) | NOW THAT`S WHAT I CALL MUSIC! 44 | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 1999 |
| 95 | CELINE DION | FALLING INTO YOU | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 1996 |
| 96 | SIMPLY RED | A NEW FLAME | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 1989 |
| 97 | MADONNA | TRUE BLUE | 7x Platinum | 2,100,000 | 1986 |
| 98 | ROBBIE WILLIAMS | ESCAPOLOGY | 6x Platinum | 2,075,000 | 2002 |
| 99 | EURYTHMICS | GREATEST HITS | 6x Platinum | 2,055,000 | 1991 |
| 100 | KAISER CHIEFS | EMPLOYMENT | 6x Platinum | 2,048,000 | 2005 |
| 101 | FLEETWOOD MAC | THE VERY BEST OF FLEETWOOD MAC | 6x Platinum | 2,032,000 | 2002 |
| 102 | JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE | JUSTIFIED | 6x Platinum | 2,009,000 | 2002 |
| 103 | CHRISTINA AGUILERA | STRIPPED | 5x Platinum | 2,000,000 | 2002 |
Timeline of the best-selling albums in the United Kingdom
The table shows how the best selling album in the United Kingdom changed over time, since the Multi-platinum awards (2x Platinum, 3x Platinum, etc.) were introduced in February 1987. At various times top certified albums were: Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory by Oasis, Adele’s 21 and Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Bad.
| Certification date | Artist | Album | Certification | Sales |
| 24.02.1987 | Dire Straits | Brothers In Arms | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 |
| 27.02.1987 | Michael Jackson | Thriller | 8x Platinum | 2,400,000 |
| 28.09.1987 | Dire Straits | Brothers In Arms | 9x Platinum | 2,700,000 |
| 01.11.1987 | Dire Straits | Brothers In Arms | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 |
| 01.02.1991 | Michael Jackson | Bad | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 |
| 01.12.1991 | Queen | Greatest Hits | 10x Platinum | 3,000,000 |
| 01.01.1992 | Queen | Greatest Hits | 11x Platinum | 3,300,000 |
| 01.02.1992 | Dire Straits | Brothers In Arms | 12x Platinum | 3,600,000 |
| 01.07.1992 | Michael Jackson | Bad | 13x Platinum | 3,900,000 |
| 01.10.1997 | Oasis | (What’s The Story) Morning Glory | 13x Platinum | 3,900,000 |
| 31.10.1997 | Dire Straits | Brothers In Arms | 13x Platinum | 3,900,000 |
| 24.09.2004 | Oasis | (What’s The Story) Morning Glory | 14x Platinum | 4,200,000 |
| 16.12.2011 | Adele | 21 | 14x Platinum | 4,200,000 |
| 02.03.2012 | Adele | 21 | 15x Platinum | 4,500,000 |
| 25.05.2012 | Adele | 21 | 16x Platinum | 4,800,000 |
| 05.02.2016 | Queen | Greatest Hits | 20x Platinum | 6,000,000 |
| 20.12.2018 | Queen | Greatest Hits | 21x Platinum | 6,300,000 |
| 10.08.2020 | Queen | Greatest Hits | 22x Platinum | 6,600,000 |
| 26.11.2021 | Queen | Greatest Hits | 23x Platinum | 6,900,000 |