According to Sony Music Japan, Universal Music Publishing Group, THE WAR OF THE WORLDS by JEFF WAYNE has sold 15,000,000 copies worldwide. The album sold best in United Kingdom (2,800,000 copies), Australia (730,000 copies) and Germany (250,000 copies).
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Australia |
730,000 | 10x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald | JUNE 2005 / 2013 |
Australia Sales: 730,000
Certification / note: 10x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald
Certification Date / sales as of: JUNE 2005 / 2013
|
 Canada |
100,000 | 1x Platinum | 1983 |
Canada Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1983
|
 Germany |
250,000 | 1x Gold | 1981 |
Germany Sales: 250,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1981
|
 Netherlands |
100,000 | 1x Platinum | 1978 |
Netherlands Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1978
|
 New Zealand |
210,000 | 14x Platinum |
New Zealand Sales: 210,000
Certification / note: 14x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 United Kingdom |
2,800,000 | 9x Platinum | 5 February,2016 |
United Kingdom Sales: 2,800,000
Certification / note: 9x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 5 February,2016
|
| Worldwide sales | 15,000,000 | Sony Music Japan, Universal Music Publishing Group |
Total
Sales: 15,000,000
Source: Sony Music Japan, Universal Music Publishing Group
|
Year-end chart performance for THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
| Chart 1978 | Rank | Sales |
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) |
6 | |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
6 | |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
12 | |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
11 | |
| Chart 1979 | Rank | Sales |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
22 | |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
22 | |
| Chart 1980 | Rank | Sales |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
49 | |
| Chart 1981 | Rank | Sales |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
63 | |
| Chart 1982 | Rank | Sales |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
95 | |
| Chart 1989 | Rank | Sales |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
54 | |
| Chart 1996 | Rank | Sales |
| UK Artist Albums |
101 | 110,000 |
| Chart 2005 | Rank | Sales |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
46 | |
| UK Albums |
42 | 450,000 |
| UK Artist Albums |
38 | 448,255 |
Decade-end chart performance for THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
| Chart 1970's | Rank |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
41 |
| Chart 2010's | Rank |
| UK Vinyl Albums (OCC) |
61 |