According to Universal Music Spain, THE VELVET ROPE by JANET JACKSON has sold 10,000,000 copies worldwide. The album sold best in United States (3,000,000 copies), Canada (300,000 copies) and France (300,000 copies).
THE VELVET ROPE certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Australia |
140,000 | 2x Platinum | NOVEMBER 1998 |
Australia Sales: 140,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: NOVEMBER 1998
|
 Belgium |
25,000 | 1x Gold |
Belgium Sales: 25,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Canada |
300,000 | 3x Platinum | 1998 |
Canada Sales: 300,000
Certification / note: 3x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1998
|
 Denmark |
100,000 | 2x Platinum |
Denmark Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 France |
300,000 | 1x Platinum | 29 June, 1998 |
France Sales: 300,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 29 June, 1998
|
 Germany |
250,000 | 1x Gold | 1998 |
Germany Sales: 250,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1998
|
 Ireland |
7,500 | 1x Gold |
Ireland Sales: 7,500
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Italy |
100,000 | 1x Platinum |
Italy Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Japan |
200,000 | 1x Platinum | October 1997 |
Japan Sales: 200,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: October 1997
|
 Netherlands |
100,000 | 1x Platinum | 1998 |
Netherlands Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1998
|
 New Zealand |
15,000 | 1x Platinum |
New Zealand Sales: 15,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Norway |
50,000 | 1x Platinum | 1998 |
Norway Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1998
|
 South Africa |
25,000 | 1x Gold |
South Africa Sales: 25,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Spain |
100,000 | 1x Platinum | 1998 |
Spain Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1998
|
 Sweden |
40,000 | 1x Gold | 21 April, 1998 |
Sweden Sales: 40,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 21 April, 1998
|
 Switzerland |
75,000 | 1x Platinum + 1x Gold | 1998 / 1999 |
Switzerland Sales: 75,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum + 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1998 / 1999
|
 Taiwan |
25,000 | 1x Gold |
Taiwan Sales: 25,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Thailand |
10,000 | 1x Silver |
Thailand Sales: 10,000
Certification / note: 1x Silver
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 United Kingdom |
300,000 | 1x Platinum | 1 May, 1998 |
United Kingdom Sales: 300,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1 May, 1998
|
 United States |
3,000,000 | 3x Platinum | 15 January, 1999 |
United States Sales: 3,000,000
Certification / note: 3x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 15 January, 1999
|
 Europe (IFPI) |
1,000,000 | 1x Platinum | 1998 |
Europe (IFPI) Sales: 1,000,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1998
|
| Worldwide sales | 10,000,000 | Universal Music Spain |
Total
Sales: 10,000,000
Source: Universal Music Spain
|
Year-end chart performance for THE VELVET ROPE
| Chart 1997 | Rank | Sales |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) |
42 | >70,000 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) |
85 | |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten) |
40 | |
 European Albums (Music & Media) |
49 | |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
85 | |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) |
73 | |
| UK Albums |
113 | 150,000 |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
115 | |
| US Albums (Soundscan) |
60 | 1,200,000 |
| Chart 1998 | Rank | Sales |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) |
82 | |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) |
43 | |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) |
39 | |
| Canadian Albums (RPM) |
34 | |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten) |
9 | |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
20 | |
| European Albums (Music & Media) |
19 | |
| French Albums (SNEP) |
17 | |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
28 | |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
39 | |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) |
43 | |
| UK Albums |
94 | 170,000 |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
27 | |
| US Albums (Soundscan) |
41 | 1,600,000 |