According to Universal France, KISSING TO BE CLEVER by CULTURE CLUB has sold 5,000,000 copies worldwide. The album sold best in United States (1,000,000 copies), Canada (300,000 copies) and United Kingdom (300,000 copies).
KISSING TO BE CLEVER certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Canada |
300,000 | 3x Platinum | 1984 |
Canada Sales: 300,000
Certification / note: 3x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1984
|
 Japan |
291,490 | Oricon charts |
Japan Sales: 291,490
Certification / note: Oricon charts
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 New Zealand |
7,500 | 1x Gold |
New Zealand Sales: 7,500
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 United Kingdom |
300,000 | 1x Platinum | 22 March, 1983 |
United Kingdom Sales: 300,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 22 March, 1983
|
 United States |
1,000,000 | 1x Platinum | 7 November, 1983 |
United States Sales: 1,000,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 7 November, 1983
|
| Worldwide sales | 5,000,000 | Universal France |
Total
Sales: 5,000,000
Source: Universal France
|
Year-end chart performance for KISSING TO BE CLEVER
| Chart 1982 | Rank | Sales |
 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
86 | |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
41 | |
| Chart 1983 | Rank | Sales |
| Canadian Albums (RPM) |
21 | |
 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
40 | |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) |
20 | 292,000 |
| UK Albums (Music Week) |
50 | |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
9 | |
| Chart 1984 | Rank | Sales |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
42 |