List of best-selling female music artists in the United Kingdom

Last updated

The following is a list of the best-selling female music artists in the United Kingdom, based solely on sales units published by reliable music industry-related organizations, including the British Phonographic Industry, the Official Charts Company, Music Week and Record Mirror .

Contents

30 million or more units

ArtistCountry of originPeriod of activityGenre(s) Total certified units Claimed sales
Rihanna Barbados2005–presentPop / R&B / Dance [1] 61.3 million [2]
Taylor Swift United States2006–presentPop / Country / Folk [3] 58.6 million [4]
Adele United Kingdom2008–presentPop / soul 40.7 million [5]
Beyoncé United States1997–present R&B / pop / dance36.2 million [6]
Madonna United States1982–presentPop / dance / electronic 32.42 million [7]
Ariana Grande United States2011–presentPop / R&B 31.5 million [8]
Little Mix United Kingdom2011–2022Pop / R&B / dance-pop 30.00 million [9]

20 million to 30 million units

ArtistCountry of originPeriod of activityGenre(s) Total certified units Claimed sales
Dua Lipa United Kingdom2011–2022Pop / house / disco / R&B 28.4 million [10]
Lady Gaga United States2008–presentPop / dance / electronic / jazz / pop rock 25.36 million [11]
P!nk United States2000–presentPop / pop rock / R&B 26.5 million [12]
Katy Perry United States2001–presentPop25.25 million [13]
Nicki Minaj Trinidad and Tobago2004–present Hip-hop / pop24.26 million [14]
Whitney Houston United States1984–2012 R&B / pop / soul / gospel [15] 23.045 million [16]

10 million to 20 million units

ArtistCountry of originPeriod of activityGenre(s) Total certified units Claimed sales
Sia Australia2013–presentPop / electronica 19.86 million [17]
Britney Spears United States1998–presentPop / dance / electronic 18.885 million [18]
Billie Eilish United States2015–presentPop / alt-pop / electropop 18.695 million [16]
Jess Glynne United Kingdom2013–presentPop / R&B / dance17.9 million [19]
Celine Dion Canada1981–present Pop rock [20] 16.715 million [21]
Mariah Carey United States1990–present R&B / Pop [22] 16.66 million [23]
Kylie Minogue Australia1987–present disco-pop 15.61 million [24]
Spice Girls United Kingdom1994–2000 / 2007–2008 / 2012 / 2016 / 2018–presentPop / dance-pop 15.55 million [25]
Ellie Goulding United Kingdom2009–present Electropop / synth-pop / indie / pop / folktronica 14.7 million [26]
Christina Aguilera United States1999–present R&B / pop / rock13.21 million [27]
Miley Cyrus United States2007–presentPop13.02 million [28]
Amy Winehouse United Kingdom2002–2011 Soul / blue-eyed soul / neo soul / rhythm and blues / jazz12.61 million [29]
Rita Ora United Kingdom2008–presentPop / electropop / R&B 12.6 million [30]
Becky Hill United Kingdom2012–presentPop / R&B12.2 million [31]
Cardi B United States2015–present Hip-hop 11.7 million [32]
Camila Cabello Cuba2012–presentPop / Latin 11.6 million [33]
Lana Del Rey United States2005–present Alternative pop / baroque pop / rock / dream pop 11.52 million [34]
Anne-Marie United Kingdom2013–presentpop / grime / R&B 11.2 million [35]
Zara Larsson Sweden2008–presentPop / dance-pop / electropop 11.1 million [36]
Tina Turner United States1964–2020Rock / Pop10.875 million [37]
Emeli Sandé United Kingdom2008–present R&B / soul / gospel 10.725 million [38]
Destiny's Child United States1990–2006 R&B / Pop10.625 million [39]
Halsey United States2012–presentPop / alternative pop / R&B 10.5 million [40]

8 million to 10 million units

ArtistCountry of originPeriod of activityGenre(s) Total certified units Claimed sales
Destiny's Child United States1990–2006 R&B / Pop10.625 million [41]
Leona Lewis United Kingdom2006–present R&B / Pop / soul 9.56 million [42]
Demi Lovato United States2002–presentPop / pop rock / R&B 9.26 million [43]
Shakira Colombia1991–presentLatin pop / pop / pop rock8.90 million [44]
Alicia Keys United States2001–present Hip-hop / R&B / pop8.62 million [45]
Jessie J United Kingdom2006–presentPop / pop rock / R&B / soul 8.36 million [46]
Shania Twain Canada1993–present Country pop 8.22 million [47]
Diana Ross [A] United States1970–present R&B / pop / disco8.02 million [B]

1 million to 8 million units

ArtistCountry of originPeriod of activityGenre(s) Total certified units Claimed sales
Cher United States1965–presentPop / rock / dance / folk 7.94 million [48]
Girls Aloud United Kingdom2002–2009 / 2012–2013Pop / electropop / dance-pop / dance-rock 7.4 million [49]
Barbra Streisand United States1963–presentPop / rock / dance / showtunes / standards7.097 million
Avril Lavigne Canada2002–presentPop / rock6.885 million [50]
Kate Bush United Kingdom1975–present Art pop / progressive pop / experimental pop / art rock 6.61 million [51]
Sugababes United Kingdom1998–presentPop / R&B 6.56 million [52]
All Saints United Kingdom1993–2001 / 2006–2008 / 2013–presentPop / electronic / R&B5.8 million [53]
The Saturdays United Kingdom2007–2014Pop / Dance / R&B5 million [54]
Kelly Rowland United States1997–present R&B / Pop / hip hop / soul / dance4.76 million [55]
Eternal United Kingdom1992–2000 / 2013–2014 R&B / soul / gospel 4.25 million [56]
Kyla United Kingdom2008–present UK funky / house 3.8 million [57]
Duffy United Kingdom2004–2011 / 2015 Soul / blue-eyed soul / pop3.4 million [58]
Missy Elliott United States1991–presentHip-hop / R&B / progressive rap 3.32 million [59]
Alexandra Burke United Kingdom2008–present R&B / Pop / soul / dance3.2 million [60]
TLC United States1991–PRESENT R&B / soul / gospel 3.9 million [63]
Kelis United States1997–present R&B / pop / hip-hop / soul / electronica3.12 million [64]
Aretha Franklin United States1954–2017 R&B / soul / gospel 3.06 million [65]
Mary J. Blige United States1988–present R&B / hip-hop / hip-hop soul 3.02 million [66]
Toni Braxton United States1989–present R&B 2.9 million [67]
The Supremes United States1959–1977 R&B / soul / pop / doo-wop / disco 2.18 million [68]
Nina Simone United States1954–2002 Classical / folk / gospel / blues /jazz /R&B / soul2.06 million [69]
Dusty Springfield United Kingdom1958–1995 Soul / blue-eyed soul / pop2.02 million [70]
Macy Gray United States1990–presentR&B / soul / jazz1.96 million [71]
Shirley Bassey United Kingdom1953–presentPop1.6 million [72]
Jennifer Hudson United States2004–present R&B / soul1.5 million [73]
Dione Warwick United States1963–presentPop / R & B1.4 million [48]
Jamelia United Kingdom1999—2007R&B / pop1.2 million [74]
Joan Armatrading United Kingdom1972–presentRock / pop / folk rock / blues 1.14 million [75]
Robyn Sweden1989–present Electropop / synth-pop / dance-pop / R&B1.1 million [76]
Aaliyah United States1989–2001 R&B 1 million [77]

See also

Notes

  1. Excludes all titles credited to The Supremes or Diana Ross & The Supremes
    • Diana Ross: 8.02 million'"`UNIQ--ref-00000061-QINU`"'
  2. Reported chart sales for songs yet to meet certification threshold:'"`UNIQ--ref-00000075-QINU`"'
  3. Reported chart sales for songs yet to meet certification threshold:'"`UNIQ--ref-0000007D-QINU`"'
  4. Includes certified units combined with reported sales. Most titles listed below have reported sales higher than current certifications:
    • Overcome : 821,189'"`UNIQ--ref-0000008A-QINU`"'
    • Heartbreak on Hold : 10,571'"`UNIQ--ref-0000008B-QINU`"'
    • "Hallelujah": 1,339,000'"`UNIQ--ref-0000008C-QINU`"''"`UNIQ--ref-0000008D-QINU`"'
    • "Bad Boys": 814,000'"`UNIQ--ref-0000008E-QINU`"'
    • "Broken Heels": 400,000'"`UNIQ--ref-0000008F-QINU`"'
    • "All Night Long": 314,000'"`UNIQ--ref-00000090-QINU`"'
    • "Start Without You": 305,000'"`UNIQ--ref-00000091-QINU`"'
    • "Elephant": 64,005'"`UNIQ--ref-00000092-QINU`"'
    • "Let it Go": 16,047'"`UNIQ--ref-00000093-QINU`"''"`UNIQ--ref-00000094-QINU`"'
  5. Reported sales of 20 Golden Greats, as of 2020.'"`UNIQ--ref-000000AA-QINU`"' The album was previously certified Platinum in 1977, when the thresholds were based on monetary revenue: Platinum (£1,000,000).'"`UNIQ--ref-000000AB-QINU`"' However, this certification is not listed on the British Phonographic Industry website.
  6. Reported sales of albums yet to meet certification threshold:'"`UNIQ--ref-000000AD-QINU`"'
  7. Reported chart sales of songs yet to meet certification threshold:'"`UNIQ--ref-000000AF-QINU`"'
  8. Includes certified units combined with reported sales.

References

  1. "Rihanna Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  2. "British certifications – Rihanna". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Rihanna in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  3. "Taylor Swift Albums and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  4. "British certifications – Taylor Swift". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Taylor Swift in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  5. "British certifications – Adele". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Adele in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  6. "British certifications – Beyoncé". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Beyoncé in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  7. "British certifications – Madonna". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Madonna in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  8. "British certifications – Ariana Grande". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Ariana Grande in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  9. "British certifications – Little Mix". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Little Mix in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  10. "British certifications – Dua Lipa". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Dua Lipa in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  11. "British certifications – Lady Gaga". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Lady Gaga in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  12. "British certifications – Pink". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Pink in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  13. "British certifications – Katy Perry". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Katy Perry in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  14. "British certifications – Nicki Minaj". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Nicki Minaj in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  15. "Whitney Houston Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  16. 1 2 "British certifications – Whitney Houston". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Whitney Houston in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  17. "British certifications – Sia". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Sia in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  18. "British certifications – Britney Spears". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 24, 2024.Type Britney Spears in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  19. "British certifications – Jess Glynne". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Jess Glynne in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  20. "Céline Dion Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  21. "British certifications – Celine Dion". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Celine Dion in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  22. "Mariah Carey Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  23. "British certifications – Mariah Carey". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Mariah Carey in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  24. "British certifications – Kylie Minogue". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Kylie Minogue in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  25. "British certifications – Spice Girls". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Spice Girls in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  26. "British certifications – Ellie Goulding". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Ellie Goulding in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  27. "British certifications – Christina Aguilera". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Christina Aguilera in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  28. "British certifications – Miley Cyrus". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Miley Cyrus in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  29. "British certifications – Amy Winehouse". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Amy Winehouse in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  30. "British certifications – Rita Ora". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Rita Ora in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  31. "British certifications – Becky Hill". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Becky Hill in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  32. "British certifications – Cardi B". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Cardi B in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  33. "British certifications – Camila Cabello". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Camila Cabello in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  34. "British certifications – Lana Del Rey". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Lana Del Rey in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  35. "British certifications – Anne-Marie". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Anne-Marie in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  36. "British certifications – Zara Larsson". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Zara Larsson in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  37. "British certifications – Tina Turner". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Tina Turner in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  38. "British certifications – Emeli Sandé". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Emeli Sandé in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  39. "British certifications – Destiny's Child". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 3, 2025.Type Destiny's Child in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  40. "British certifications – Halsey". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Halsey in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  41. "British certifications – Destiny's Child". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 3, 2025.Type Destiny's Child in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  42. "British certifications – Leona Lewis". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2021.Type Leona Lewis in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  43. "British certifications – Demi Lovato". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2021.Type Demi Lovato in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  44. "BRIT Certified". BPI. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  45. "British certifications – Alicia Keys". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2021.Type Alicia Keys in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  46. "British certifications – Jessie J". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2021.Type Jessie J in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  47. "British certifications – Shania Twain". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2021.Type Shania Twain in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  48. 1 2 "British certifications – Cher". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Cher in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  49. "British certifications – Girls Aloud". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Girls Aloud in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  50. "British certifications – Avril Lavigne". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Avril Lavigne in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  51. "British certifications – Kate Bush". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Kate Bush in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  52. "British certifications – Sugababes". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Sugababes in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  53. "British certifications – All Saints". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 21, 2022.Type All Saints in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  54. "British certifications – The Saturdays". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 23, 2023.Type The Saturdays in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  55. 1 2 3 "British certifications – Kelly Rowland". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Kelly Rowland in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  56. "British certifications – Eternal". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Eternal in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  57. "British certifications – Kyla". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 21, 2022.Type Kyla in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  58. "British certifications – Duffy". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Duffy in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  59. "British certifications – Missy Elliott". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Missy Elliott in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  60. "British certifications – Alexandra Burke". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Alexandra Burke in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  61. "Alexandra Burke - Money Management UK". Money Management UK. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  62. "BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - Alexandra Burke". BBC One . Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  63. "British certifications – Aretha Franklin". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Aretha Franklin in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  64. "British certifications – Kelis". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Kelis in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  65. "British certifications – Aretha Franklin". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Aretha Franklin in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  66. "British certifications – Mary J. Blige". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Mary J. Blige in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  67. "British certifications – Toni Braxton". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 18, 2022.Type Toni Braxton in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  68. 1 2 "British certifications – The Supremes". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type The Supremes in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  69. "British certifications – Nina Simone". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 18, 2022.Type Nina Simone in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  70. "British certifications – Dusty Springfield". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 22, 2022.Type Dusty Springfield in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  71. "British certifications – Macy Gray". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 18, 2022.Type Macy Gray in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  72. "British certifications – Shirley Bassey". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 22, 2022.Type Shirley Bassey in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  73. "British certifications – Jennifer Hudson". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 20, 2022.Type Jennifer Hudson in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  74. "British certifications – Jamelia". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 2, 2025.Type Jamelia in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  75. "British certifications – Joan Armatrading". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 3, 2025.Type Joan Armatrading in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  76. "British certifications – Robyn". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 22, 2022.Type Robyn in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  77. "British certifications – Aaliyah". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 18, 2022.Type Aaliyah in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.