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

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 .

30 million or more units

• 
  Rihanna
• 
  Taylor Swift
• 
  Adele
• 
  Beyoncé
• 
  Madonna
• 
  Little Mix

Artist	Country of origin	Period of activity	Genre(s)	Total certified units	Claimed sales
Rihanna	Barbados	2005–present	Pop / R&B / Dance [1]	61.3 million [2]
Taylor Swift	United States	2006–present	Pop / Country / Folk [3]	58.6 million [4]
Adele	United Kingdom	2008–present	Pop / soul	40.7 million [5]
Beyoncé	United States	1997–present	R&B / pop / dance	36.2 million [6]
Madonna	United States	1982–present	Pop / dance / electronic	32.42 million [7]
Ariana Grande	United States	2011–present	Pop / R&B	31.5 million [8]
Little Mix	United Kingdom	2011–2022	Pop / R&B / dance-pop	30.00 million [9]

20 million to 30 million units

• 
  Dua Lipa
• 
  Lady Gaga
• 
  P!nk
• 
  Katy Perry
• 
  Nicki Minaj
• 
  Whitney Houston

Artist	Country of origin	Period of activity	Genre(s)	Total certified units	Claimed sales
Dua Lipa	United Kingdom	2011–2022	Pop / house / disco / R&B	28.4 million [10]
Lady Gaga	United States	2008–present	Pop / dance / electronic / jazz / pop rock	25.36 million [11]
P!nk	United States	2000–present	Pop / pop rock / R&B	26.5 million [12]
Katy Perry	United States	2001–present	Pop	25.25 million [13]
Nicki Minaj	Trinidad and Tobago	2004–present	Hip-hop / pop	24.26 million [14]
Whitney Houston	United States	1984–2012	R&B / pop / soul / gospel [15]	23.045 million [16]

10 million to 20 million units

• 
  Sia
• 
  Britney Spears
• 
  Billie Eilish
• 
  Jess Glynne
• 
  Celine Dion
• 
  Mariah Carey
• 
  Kylie Minogue
• 
  Spice Girls

Artist	Country of origin	Period of activity	Genre(s)	Total certified units	Claimed sales
Sia	Australia	2013–present	Pop / electronica	19.86 million [17]
Britney Spears	United States	1998–present	Pop / dance / electronic	18.885 million [18]
Billie Eilish	United States	2015–present	Pop / alt-pop / electropop	18.695 million [16]
Jess Glynne	United Kingdom	2013–present	Pop / R&B / dance	17.9 million [19]
Celine Dion	Canada	1981–present	Pop rock [20]	16.715 million [21]
Mariah Carey	United States	1990–present	R&B / Pop [22]	16.66 million [23]
Kylie Minogue	Australia	1987–present	disco-pop	15.61 million [24]
Spice Girls	United Kingdom	1994–2000 / 2007–2008 / 2012 / 2016 / 2018–present	Pop / dance-pop	15.55 million [25]
Ellie Goulding	United Kingdom	2009–present	Electropop / synth-pop / indie / pop / folktronica	14.7 million [26]
Christina Aguilera	United States	1999–present	R&B / pop / rock	13.21 million [27]
Miley Cyrus	United States	2007–present	Pop	13.02 million [28]
Amy Winehouse	United Kingdom	2002–2011	Soul / blue-eyed soul / neo soul / rhythm and blues / jazz	12.61 million [29]
Rita Ora	United Kingdom	2008–present	Pop / electropop / R&B	12.6 million [30]
Becky Hill	United Kingdom	2012–present	Pop / R&B	12.2 million [31]
Cardi B	United States	2015–present	Hip-hop	11.7 million [32]
Camila Cabello	Cuba	2012–present	Pop / Latin	11.6 million [33]
Lana Del Rey	United States	2005–present	Alternative pop / baroque pop / rock / dream pop	11.52 million [34]
Anne-Marie	United Kingdom	2013–present	pop / grime / R&B	11.2 million [35]
Zara Larsson	Sweden	2008–present	Pop / dance-pop / electropop	11.1 million [36]
Tina Turner	United States	1964–2020	Rock / Pop	10.875 million [37]
Emeli Sandé	United Kingdom	2008–present	R&B / soul / gospel	10.725 million [38]
Destiny's Child	United States	1990–2006	R&B / Pop	10.625 million [39]
Halsey	United States	2012–present	Pop / alternative pop / R&B	10.5 million [40]

8 million to 10 million units

• 
  Destiny Child
• 
  Leona Lewis
• 
  Demi Lovato
• 
  Shakira
• 
  Diana Ross

Artist	Country of origin	Period of activity	Genre(s)	Total certified units	Claimed sales
Destiny's Child	United States	1990–2006	R&B / Pop	10.625 million [41]
Leona Lewis	United Kingdom	2006–present	R&B / Pop / soul	9.56 million [42]
Demi Lovato	United States	2002–present	Pop / pop rock / R&B	9.26 million [43]
Shakira	Colombia	1991–present	Latin pop / pop / pop rock	8.90 million [44]
Alicia Keys	United States	2001–present	Hip-hop / R&B / pop	8.62 million [45]
Jessie J	United Kingdom	2006–present	Pop / pop rock / R&B / soul	8.36 million [46]
Shania Twain	Canada	1993–present	Country pop	8.22 million [47]
Diana Ross [A]	United States	1970–present	R&B / pop / disco	8.02 million [B]

1 million to 8 million units

• 
  Cher
• 
  Girls Aloud
• 
  Kate Bush
• 
  Sugababes
• 
  All Saints
• 
  Kelly Rowland

Artist	Country of origin	Period of activity	Genre(s)	Total certified units	Claimed sales
Cher	United States	1965–present	Pop / rock / dance / folk	7.94 million [48]
Girls Aloud	United Kingdom	2002–2009 / 2012–2013	Pop / electropop / dance-pop / dance-rock	7.4 million [49]
Barbra Streisand	United States	1963–present	Pop / rock / dance / showtunes / standards	7.097 million
Avril Lavigne	Canada	2002–present	Pop / rock	6.885 million [50]
Kate Bush	United Kingdom	1975–present	Art pop / progressive pop / experimental pop / art rock	6.61 million [51]
Sugababes	United Kingdom	1998–present	Pop / R&B	6.56 million [52]
All Saints	United Kingdom	1993–2001 / 2006–2008 / 2013–present	Pop / electronic / R&B	5.8 million [53]
The Saturdays	United Kingdom	2007–2014	Pop / Dance / R&B	5 million [54]
Kelly Rowland	United States	1997–present	R&B / Pop / hip hop / soul / dance	4.76 million [55]	5.211 million Certified: 4.76 million [55] Uncertified songs: 451,000 units [C]
Eternal	United Kingdom	1992–2000 / 2013–2014	R&B / soul / gospel	4.25 million [56]	4.38 million Certified: 4.25 million [55] Uncertified songs: 130,000 units [D]
Kyla	United Kingdom	2008–present	UK funky / house	3.8 million [57]
Duffy	United Kingdom	2004–2011 / 2015	Soul / blue-eyed soul / pop	3.4 million [58]
Missy Elliott	United States	1991–present	Hip-hop / R&B / progressive rap	3.32 million [59]
Alexandra Burke	United Kingdom	2008–present	R&B / Pop / soul / dance	3.2 million [60]	4-5 million Reported sales: 5 million [61] 4,083,812 units [E] [62]
TLC	United States	1991–PRESENT	R&B / soul / gospel	3.9 million [63]
Kelis	United States	1997–present	R&B / pop / hip-hop / soul / electronica	3.12 million [64]
Aretha Franklin	United States	1954–2017	R&B / soul / gospel	3.06 million [65]
Mary J. Blige	United States	1988–present	R&B / hip-hop / hip-hop soul	3.02 million [66]
Toni Braxton	United States	1989–present	R&B	2.9 million [67]
The Supremes	United States	1959–1977	R&B / soul / pop / doo-wop / disco	2.18 million [68]	3.418 million Certified units: 2.18 million [68] 20 Golden Greats : 1 million [F] Uncertified albums: 30,000 [G] Uncertified songs: 208,000 [H]
Nina Simone	United States	1954–2002	Classical / folk / gospel / blues /jazz /R&B / soul	2.06 million [69]
Dusty Springfield	United Kingdom	1958–1995	Soul / blue-eyed soul / pop	2.02 million [70]
Macy Gray	United States	1990–present	R&B / soul / jazz	1.96 million [71]
Shirley Bassey	United Kingdom	1953–present	Pop	1.6 million [72]
Jennifer Hudson	United States	2004–present	R&B / soul	1.5 million [73]
Dione Warwick	United States	1963–present	Pop / R & B	1.4 million [48]
Jamelia	United Kingdom	1999—2007	R&B / pop	1.2 million [74]
Joan Armatrading	United Kingdom	1972–present	Rock / pop / folk rock / blues	1.14 million [75]
Robyn	Sweden	1989–present	Electropop / synth-pop / dance-pop / R&B	1.1 million [76]	1.502 million 1,502,408 units [I]
Aaliyah	United States	1989–2001	R&B	1 million [77]

See also

• List of best-selling music artists
• List of best-selling girl groups
• List of best-selling albums by women
• List of best-selling female rappers
• Women in music

Notes

1. Excludes all titles credited to The Supremes or Diana Ross & The Supremes
2. • Diana Ross: 8.02 million'"`UNIQ--ref-00000061-QINU`"'
3. Reported chart sales for songs yet to meet certification threshold:'"`UNIQ--ref-00000075-QINU`"'
   • "Down for Whatever": 177,000
   • "Motivation": 142,000
   • "What a Feeling": 132,000
4. Reported chart sales for songs yet to meet certification threshold:'"`UNIQ--ref-0000007D-QINU`"'
   • "Someday": 130,000
5. 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`"'
6. 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.
7. Reported sales of albums yet to meet certification threshold:'"`UNIQ--ref-000000AD-QINU`"'
   • The Magnificent 7 : 30,000
8. Reported chart sales of songs yet to meet certification threshold:'"`UNIQ--ref-000000AF-QINU`"'
   • "Come See About Me": 65,000
   • "You Keep Me Hangin' On": 84,000
   • "Stoned Love": 59,000
9. Includes certified units combined with reported sales.
   • Robyn : 242,000'"`UNIQ--ref-000000C3-QINU`"'
   • Body Talk Pt. 2 : 3,602'"`UNIQ--ref-000000C4-QINU`"'
   • Do It Again : 4,806'"`UNIQ--ref-000000C5-QINU`"'
   • "Show Me Love": 113,000'"`UNIQ--ref-000000C6-QINU`"'
   • "With Every Heartbeat": 491,000'"`UNIQ--ref-000000C7-QINU`"'
   • "Dancing On My Own": 600,000'"`UNIQ--ref-000000C8-QINU`"'
   • "Do it Again": 48,000'"`UNIQ--ref-000000C9-QINU`"'

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. "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. "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. "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. "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.