According to Sony Music Japan, BAD by MICHAEL JACKSON has sold 45,000,000 copies worldwide. The album sold best in United States (11,000,000 copies), United Kingdom (4,200,000 copies) and Germany (2,000,000 copies).
BAD certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Argentina |
60,000 | 1x Platinum |
Argentina Sales: 60,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Australia |
420,000 | 6x Platinum | JULY 2009 |
Australia Sales: 420,000
Certification / note: 6x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: JULY 2009
|
 Austria |
200,000 | 4x Platinum | 7 April, 1993 |
Austria Sales: 200,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 7 April, 1993
|
 Canada |
700,000 | 7x Platinum | 1988 |
Canada Sales: 700,000
Certification / note: 7x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1988
|
 Denmark |
80,000 | 4x Platinum | 10 November, 2020 |
Denmark Sales: 80,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 10 November, 2020
|
 Finland |
51,287 | IFPI Finland |
Finland Sales: 51,287
Certification / note: IFPI Finland
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 France |
1,000,000 | 1x Diamond | 1989 |
France Sales: 1,000,000
Certification / note: 1x Diamond
Certification Date / sales as of: 1989
|
 Germany |
2,000,000 | 4x Platinum | 1987 |
Germany Sales: 2,000,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1987
|
 Hong Kong |
20,000 | 1x Platinum |
Hong Kong Sales: 20,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 India |
150,000 | NEW YORK TIMES |
India Sales: 150,000
Certification / note: NEW YORK TIMES
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Israel |
20,000 | 1x Gold |
Israel Sales: 20,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Japan |
645,450 | 1x Gold | November 1994 |
Japan Sales: 645,450
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: November 1994
|
 Latvia |
112,000 | 14x Platinum | 2001 |
Latvia Sales: 112,000
Certification / note: 14x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2001
|
 Mexico |
350,000 | 1x Platinum + 1x Gold | 10 August, 2009 |
Mexico Sales: 350,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum + 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 10 August, 2009
|
 Netherlands |
100,000 | 1x Platinum | 1987 |
Netherlands Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1987
|
 New Zealand |
135,000 | 9x Platinum |
New Zealand Sales: 135,000
Certification / note: 9x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Norway |
169,885 | Year-end list | 1987 |
Norway Sales: 169,885
Certification / note: Year-end list
Certification Date / sales as of: 1987
|
 Poland |
10,000 | 1x Gold | 2012 |
Poland Sales: 10,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 2012
|
 Portugal |
40,000 | 1x Platinum | 1988 |
Portugal Sales: 40,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1988
|
 Singapore |
5,000 | 1x Gold | 2019 |
Singapore Sales: 5,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 2019
|
 Spain |
300,000 | 3x Platinum | 1987 |
Spain Sales: 300,000
Certification / note: 3x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1987
|
 Sweden |
200,000 | 2x Platinum | 15 June, 1988 |
Sweden Sales: 200,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 15 June, 1988
|
 United Kingdom |
4,200,000 | 14x Platinum | 26 November, 2021 |
United Kingdom Sales: 4,200,000
Certification / note: 14x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 26 November, 2021
|
 United States |
11,000,000 | 11x Platinum | August 20, 2021 |
United States Sales: 11,000,000
Certification / note: 11x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: August 20, 2021
|
 Europe (IFPI) |
1,000,000 | 1x Platinum | 2009 |
Europe (IFPI) Sales: 1,000,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2009
|
| Worldwide sales | 45,000,000 | Sony Music Japan |
Total
Sales: 45,000,000
Source: Sony Music Japan
|
Decade-end chart performance for BAD
| Chart 1980's | Rank |
| UK Albums (Record Mirror) |
2 |