According to Universal Music Canada, OUT OF TIME by R.E.M. has sold 12,000,000 copies worldwide. The album sold best in United States (4,500,000 copies), United Kingdom (1,786,000 copies) and Germany (1,250,000 copies).
OUT OF TIME 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 |
140,000 | 2x Platinum | JANUARY 1995 |
Australia Sales: 140,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: JANUARY 1995
|
 Austria |
50,000 | 1x Platinum | 27 January, 1992 |
Austria Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 27 January, 1992
|
 Brazil |
100,000 | 1x Gold | 1991 |
Brazil Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
 Canada |
700,000 | 7x Platinum | 2003 |
Canada Sales: 700,000
Certification / note: 7x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2003
|
 Finland |
27,084 | IFPI Finland |
Finland Sales: 27,084
Certification / note: IFPI Finland
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 France |
600,000 | 2x Platinum | 1995 |
France Sales: 600,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1995
|
 Germany |
1,250,000 | 5x Gold | 2006 |
Germany Sales: 1,250,000
Certification / note: 5x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 2006
|
 Italy |
25,000 | 1x Gold | 2021 |
Italy Sales: 25,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 2021
|
 Japan |
4,240 | Oricon charts |
Japan Sales: 4,240
Certification / note: Oricon charts
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Netherlands |
160,000 | 2x Platinum | 2001 |
Netherlands Sales: 160,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2001
|
 New Zealand |
7,500 | 1x Gold |
New Zealand Sales: 7,500
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Norway |
51,051 | Year-end list | 1991 |
Norway Sales: 51,051
Certification / note: Year-end list
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
 Spain |
500,000 | 5x Platinum | 2001 |
Spain Sales: 500,000
Certification / note: 5x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2001
|
 Sweden |
50,000 | 1x Gold | 24 February,1992 |
Sweden Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 24 February,1992
|
 Switzerland |
100,000 | 2x Platinum | 1999 |
Switzerland Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1999
|
 United Kingdom |
1,786,000 | 5x Platinum | 1 October, 1995 |
United Kingdom Sales: 1,786,000
Certification / note: 5x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1 October, 1995
|
 United States |
4,500,000 | 4x Platinum | 5 June, 1992 |
United States Sales: 4,500,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 5 June, 1992
|
| Worldwide sales | 12,000,000 | Universal Music Canada |
Total
Sales: 12,000,000
Source: Universal Music Canada
|
Year-end chart performance for OUT OF TIME
| Chart 1991 | Rank | Sales |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) |
12 | |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) |
3 | |
| Canadian Albums (RPM) |
1 | |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
2 | |
 European Albums (Music & Media) |
1 | |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
5 | |
| Italian Albums (Musica & Dischi) |
9 | 380,000 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
9 | |
| Norwegian Albums (Dagbladet) |
20 | 51,051 |
 Portuguese Albums (AFP) |
2 | |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) |
3 | |
| UK Albums |
6 | |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
11 | |
| US Albums (Soundscan) |
9 | 2,780,000 |
| Chart 1992 | Rank | Sales |
| European Albums (Music & Media) |
52 | |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
53 | |
| UK Albums |
47 | |
| UK Artist Albums |
40 | |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
50 | |
| Chart 1993 | Rank | Sales |
| UK Artist Albums |
73 | |
| Chart 2000 | Rank | Sales |
| UK Albums |
147 | 130,000 |