According to Sony Music Japan, WHITNEY HOUSTON by WHITNEY HOUSTON has sold 23,000,000 copies worldwide. The album sold best in United States (14,000,000 copies), United Kingdom (1,200,000 copies) and Canada (1,000,000 copies).
WHITNEY HOUSTON certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Australia |
280,000 | 4x Platinum | DECEMBER 2002 |
Australia Sales: 280,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: DECEMBER 2002
|
 Austria |
50,000 | 1x Platinum | 2 November, 1992 |
Austria Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 2 November, 1992
|
 Canada |
1,000,000 | 1x Diamond | 1987 |
Canada Sales: 1,000,000
Certification / note: 1x Diamond
Certification Date / sales as of: 1987
|
 Denmark |
25,000 | 1x Gold |
Denmark Sales: 25,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Finland |
29,109 | IFPI Finland |
Finland Sales: 29,109
Certification / note: IFPI Finland
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 France |
100,000 | 1x Gold | 1986 |
France Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1986
|
 Germany |
500,000 | 1x Platinum | 1986 |
Germany Sales: 500,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1986
|
 Hong Kong |
20,000 | 1x Platinum |
Hong Kong Sales: 20,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Japan |
559,223 | Oricon charts |
Japan Sales: 559,223
Certification / note: Oricon charts
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Netherlands |
100,000 | 1x Platinum | 1986 |
Netherlands Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1986
|
 New Zealand |
45,000 | 3x Platinum |
New Zealand Sales: 45,000
Certification / note: 3x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Norway |
95,839 | Year-end list | 1986 |
Norway Sales: 95,839
Certification / note: Year-end list
Certification Date / sales as of: 1986
|
 South Africa |
25,000 | 1x Gold |
South Africa Sales: 25,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Sweden |
200,000 | 2x Platinum | 7 September, 1987 |
Sweden Sales: 200,000
Certification / note: 2x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 7 September, 1987
|
 United Kingdom |
1,200,000 | 4x Platinum | 25 January,1989 |
United Kingdom Sales: 1,200,000
Certification / note: 4x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 25 January,1989
|
 United States |
14,000,000 | 14x Platinum | January 27, 2023 |
United States Sales: 14,000,000
Certification / note: 14x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: January 27, 2023
|
 USSR |
151,720 | LP Shipments |
USSR Sales: 151,720
Certification / note: LP Shipments
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
| Worldwide sales | 23,000,000 | Sony Music Japan |
Total
Sales: 23,000,000
Source: Sony Music Japan
|
Year-end chart performance for WHITNEY HOUSTON
| Chart 1985 | Rank | Sales |
| Canadian Albums (RPM) |
30 | |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
72 | |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
26 | |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
29 | |
| Chart 1986 | Rank | Sales |
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) |
1 | |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) |
17 | |
| Canadian Albums (RPM) |
1 | |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
8 | |
 European Albums (Music & Media) |
4 | |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
4 | |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) |
17 | 449,000 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
3 | |
| Norwegian Albums (Dagbladet) |
6 | 95,839 |
 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) |
1 | |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
5 | 690,000 |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
1 | |
| Chart 1987 | Rank | Sales |
| Canadian Albums (RPM) |
78 | |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
50 | |
| European Albums (Music & Media) |
76 | |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
36 | |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
72 | 200,000 |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
22 | |
| Chart 2012 | Rank | Sales |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
198 | |
| US Albums (Soundscan) |
184 | 171,853 |