According to Universal Music Japan, DIRE STRAITS by DIRE STRAITS has sold 15,000,000 copies worldwide. The album sold best in United States (2,432,000 copies), United Kingdom (600,000 copies) and Germany (500,000 copies).
DIRE STRAITS certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Canada |
400,000 | 4x Platinum | 1985 |
Canada Sales: 400,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1985
|
 Denmark |
10,000 | 1x Gold | 26 January, 2021 |
Denmark Sales: 10,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 26 January, 2021
|
 France |
400,000 | 1x Platinum | 1982 |
France Sales: 400,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1982
|
 Germany |
500,000 | 1x Platinum | 1979 |
Germany Sales: 500,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1979
|
 Italy |
50,000 | 1x Platinum | 2023 |
Italy Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2023
|
 Japan |
49,000 | Oricon charts |
Japan Sales: 49,000
Certification / note: Oricon charts
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Netherlands |
100,000 | 1x Platinum | 1978 |
Netherlands Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1978
|
 New Zealand |
105,000 | 7x Platinum |
New Zealand Sales: 105,000
Certification / note: 7x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Switzerland |
100,000 | 2x Platinum | 1991 |
Switzerland Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
 United Kingdom |
600,000 | 2x Platinum | 7 February,1986 |
United Kingdom Sales: 600,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 7 February,1986
|
 United States |
2,432,000 | 2x Platinum | 6 January, 1987 |
United States Sales: 2,432,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 6 January, 1987
|
| Worldwide sales | 15,000,000 | Universal Music Japan |
Total
Sales: 15,000,000
Source: Universal Music Japan
|
Year-end chart performance for DIRE STRAITS
| Chart 1978 | Rank |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
10 |
| Chart 1979 | Rank |
 Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) |
10 |
| Canadian Albums (RPM) |
12 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
32 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
1 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
6 |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
19 |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
23 |
| Chart 1981 | Rank |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
44 |