MONEY FOR NOTHING by DIRE STRAITS has sold 4,890,945 copies in 15 countries. The album sold best in United Kingdom (1,200,000 copies), France (1,000,000 copies) and United States (1,000,000 copies).
MONEY FOR NOTHING certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Australia |
210,000 | 3x Platinum | OCTOBER 1991 |
Australia Sales: 210,000
Certification / note: 3x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: OCTOBER 1991
|
 Canada |
100,000 | 1x Platinum | 1988 |
Canada Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1988
|
 Finland |
77,842 | IFPI Finland |
Finland Sales: 77,842
Certification / note: IFPI Finland
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 France |
1,000,000 | 1x Diamond | 1991 |
France Sales: 1,000,000
Certification / note: 1x Diamond
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
 Germany |
500,000 | 1x Platinum | 1989 |
Germany Sales: 500,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1989
|
 Hong Kong |
20,000 | 1x Platinum |
Hong Kong Sales: 20,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Japan |
15,430 | Oricon charts |
Japan Sales: 15,430
Certification / note: Oricon charts
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Netherlands |
200,000 | 1x Platinum + 1x Platinum | 1989 / 1992 |
Netherlands Sales: 200,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum + 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1989 / 1992
|
 New Zealand |
120,000 | 8x Platinum |
New Zealand Sales: 120,000
Certification / note: 8x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Norway |
52,673 | Year-end list | 1988 |
Norway Sales: 52,673
Certification / note: Year-end list
Certification Date / sales as of: 1988
|
 Portugal |
20,000 | 1x Gold | 1988 |
Portugal Sales: 20,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1988
|
 Spain |
200,000 | 2x Platinum | 1989 |
Spain Sales: 200,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1989
|
 Switzerland |
175,000 | 3x Platinum + 1x Gold | 1991 / 1998 |
Switzerland Sales: 175,000
Certification / note: 3x Platinum + 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991 / 1998
|
 United Kingdom |
1,200,000 | 4x Platinum | 20 January,1989 |
United Kingdom Sales: 1,200,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 20 January,1989
|
 United States |
1,000,000 | 1x Platinum | 4 August, 1994 |
United States Sales: 1,000,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 4 August, 1994
|
| Total sales | 4,890,945 | (in 15 countries) |
Total
Sales: 4,890,945
(in 15 countries)
|
Year-end chart performance for MONEY FOR NOTHING
| Chart 1988 | Rank | Sales |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
4 | |
 European Albums (Music & Media) |
40 | |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
20 | |
| Norwegian Albums (Dagbladet) |
17 | 52,673 |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
11 | 810,000 |
| Chart 1989 | Rank | Sales |
 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) |
28 | |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
6 | |
| European Albums (Music & Media) |
11 | |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
18 | |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
36 | |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) |
11 | |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
79 | 230,000 |
| UK Artist Albums |
60 | |
| Chart 1990 | Rank | Sales |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
43 | |
| Chart 1991 | Rank | Sales |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
25 | |
| Chart 1992 | Rank | Sales |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
66 | |
| Chart 1994 | Rank | Sales |
| UK Albums |
195 |