ON HOW LIFE IS by MACY GRAY has sold 5,640,000 copies in 33 countries. The album sold best in United States (3,000,000 copies), United Kingdom (1,200,000 copies) and Canada (300,000 copies).
ON HOW LIFE IS certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Australia |
280,000 | 4x Platinum | MAY 2000 |
Australia Sales: 280,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: MAY 2000
|
 Austria |
25,000 | 1x Gold | 17 March, 2000 |
Austria Sales: 25,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 17 March, 2000
|
 Belgium |
25,000 | 1x Gold |
Belgium Sales: 25,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Canada |
300,000 | 3x Platinum | 2001 |
Canada Sales: 300,000
Certification / note: 3x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2001
|
 Finland |
20,496 | IFPI Finland |
Finland Sales: 20,496
Certification / note: IFPI Finland
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 France |
100,000 | 1x Gold | 5 July, 2000 |
France Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 5 July, 2000
|
 Germany |
250,000 | 1x Gold | 2001 |
Germany Sales: 250,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 2001
|
 Netherlands |
40,000 | 1x Gold | 2000 |
Netherlands Sales: 40,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 2000
|
 New Zealand |
60,000 | 4x Platinum |
New Zealand Sales: 60,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Norway |
50,000 | 1x Platinum | 2000 |
Norway Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2000
|
 Sweden |
40,000 | 1x Gold | 27 March, 2000 |
Sweden Sales: 40,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 27 March, 2000
|
 Switzerland |
50,000 | 1x Platinum | 2000 |
Switzerland Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2000
|
 United Kingdom |
1,200,000 | 4x Platinum | 10 March, 2000 |
United Kingdom Sales: 1,200,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 10 March, 2000
|
 United States |
3,000,000 | 3x Platinum | 8 September, 2000 |
United States Sales: 3,000,000
Certification / note: 3x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 8 September, 2000
|
 Europe (IFPI) |
2,000,000 | 2x Platinum | 2000 |
Europe (IFPI) Sales: 2,000,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2000
|
| Total sales | 5,640,000 | (in 33 countries) |
Total
Sales: 5,640,000
(in 33 countries)
|
Year-end chart performance for ON HOW LIFE IS
| Chart 1999 | Rank | Sales |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) |
31 | >140,000 |
 European Albums (Music & Media) |
95 | |
| UK Albums |
11 | 750,000 |
| Chart 2000 | Rank | Sales |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) |
7 | |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) |
22 | |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) |
47 | |
| Canadian Albums (SoundScan) |
12 | |
 Danish Albums (Hitlisten) |
5 | |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
96 | |
| European Albums (Music & Media) |
14 | |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
59 | |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
5 | |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) |
52 | |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) |
25 | |
| UK Albums |
31 | 540,000 |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
21 | |
| US Albums (Soundscan) |
22 | 2,674,919 |
| Chart 2001 | Rank | Sales |
| UK Artist Albums |
192 | 80,000 |
Decade-end chart performance for ON HOW LIFE IS
| Chart 2000's | Rank |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
129 |