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]
P!nk United States2000–presentPop / pop rock / R&B 26.5 million [11]
Katy Perry United States2001–presentPop25.85 million [12]
Lady Gaga United States2008–presentPop / dance / electronic / jazz / pop rock 25.36 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 [49]
Girls Aloud United Kingdom2002–2009 / 2012–2013Pop / electropop / dance-pop / dance-rock 7.4 million [50]
Barbra Streisand United States1963–presentPop / rock / dance / showtunes / standards7.097 million
Avril Lavigne Canada2002–presentPop / rock6.885 million [51]
Kate Bush United Kingdom1975–present Art pop / progressive pop / experimental pop / art rock 6.61 million [52]
Sugababes United Kingdom1998–presentPop / R&B 6.56 million [53]
All Saints United Kingdom1993–2001 / 2006–2008 / 2013–presentPop / electronic / R&B5.8 million [54]
The Saturdays United Kingdom2007–2014Pop / Dance / R&B5 million [55]
Kelly Rowland United States1997–present R&B / Pop / hip hop / soul / dance4.76 million [56]
Eternal United Kingdom1992–2000 / 2013–2014 R&B / soul / gospel 4.25 million [58]
Kyla United Kingdom2008–present UK funky / house 3.8 million [60]
Duffy United Kingdom2004–2011 / 2015 Soul / blue-eyed soul / pop3.4 million [61]
Missy Elliott United States1991–presentHip-hop / R&B / progressive rap 3.32 million [62]
Alexandra Burke United Kingdom2008–present R&B / Pop / soul / dance3.2 million [63]
TLC United States1991–PRESENT R&B / soul / gospel 3.9 million [74]
Kelis United States1997–present R&B / pop / hip-hop / soul / electronica3.12 million [75]
Aretha Franklin United States1954–2017 R&B / soul / gospel 3.06 million [76]
Mary J. Blige United States1988–present R&B / hip-hop / hip-hop soul 3.02 million [77]
Toni Braxton United States1989–present R&B 2.9 million [78]
The Supremes United States1959–1977 R&B / soul / pop / doo-wop / disco 2.18 million [79]
Nina Simone United States1954–2002 Classical / folk / gospel / blues /jazz /R&B / soul2.06 million [84]
Dusty Springfield United Kingdom1958–1995 Soul / blue-eyed soul / pop2.02 million [85]
Macy Gray United States1990–presentR&B / soul / jazz1.96 million [86]
Shirley Bassey United Kingdom1953–presentPop1.6 million [87]
Jennifer Hudson United States2004–present R&B / soul1.5 million [88]
Dione Warwick United States1963–presentPop / R & B1.4 million [49]
Jamelia United Kingdom1999—2007R&B / pop1.2 million [89]
Joan Armatrading United Kingdom1972–presentRock / pop / folk rock / blues 1.14 million [90]
Robyn Sweden1989–present Electropop / synth-pop / dance-pop / R&B1.1 million [91]
Aaliyah United States1989–2001 R&B 1 million [97]

See also

Notes

  1. Excludes all titles credited to The Supremes or Diana Ross & The Supremes
    • Diana Ross: 8.02 million [48]
  2. Reported chart sales for songs yet to meet certification threshold: [57]
  3. Reported chart sales for songs yet to meet certification threshold: [59]
  4. Includes certified units combined with reported sales. Most titles listed below have reported sales higher than current certifications:
  5. Reported sales of 20 Golden Greats, as of 2020. [80] The album was previously certified Platinum in 1977, when the thresholds were based on monetary revenue: Platinum (£1,000,000). [81] However, this certification is not listed on the British Phonographic Industry website.
  6. Reported sales of albums yet to meet certification threshold: [82]
  7. Reported chart sales of songs yet to meet certification threshold: [83]
  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 – Pink". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Pink in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  12. "British certifications – Katy Perry". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 12, 2023.Type Katy Perry in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  13. "British certifications – Lady Gaga". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Lady Gaga 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.
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  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 – Diana Ross". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Diana Ross in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  49. 1 2 "British certifications – Cher". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Cher in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  50. "British certifications – Girls Aloud". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Girls Aloud in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  51. "British certifications – Avril Lavigne". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 28, 2024.Type Avril Lavigne in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  52. "British certifications – Kate Bush". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Kate Bush in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  53. "British certifications – Sugababes". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Sugababes in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  54. "British certifications – All Saints". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 21, 2022.Type All Saints in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  55. "British certifications – The Saturdays". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 23, 2023.Type The Saturdays in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  56. 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.
  57. Copsey, Rob (17 April 2020). "Kelly Rowland's Official Top 10 biggest songs". Official Charts Company . Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  58. "British certifications – Eternal". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Eternal in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  59. Myers, Justin (May 21, 2019). "The biggest Disney songs on the UK singles chart". Official Charts Company . Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  60. "British certifications – Kyla". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 21, 2022.Type Kyla in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  61. "British certifications – Duffy". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Duffy in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  62. "British certifications – Missy Elliott". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Missy Elliott in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  63. 1 2 "British certifications – Alexandra Burke". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Alexandra Burke in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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  74. "British certifications – Aretha Franklin". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Aretha Franklin in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  75. "British certifications – Kelis". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 15, 2022.Type Kelis in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  76. "British certifications – Aretha Franklin". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 13, 2022.Type Aretha Franklin in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  77. "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.
  78. "British certifications – Toni Braxton". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 18, 2022.Type Toni Braxton in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  79. 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.
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  84. "British certifications – Nina Simone". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 18, 2022.Type Nina Simone in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  85. "British certifications – Dusty Springfield". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 22, 2022.Type Dusty Springfield in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  86. "British certifications – Macy Gray". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 18, 2022.Type Macy Gray in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  87. "British certifications – Shirley Bassey". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 22, 2022.Type Shirley Bassey in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  88. "British certifications – Jennifer Hudson". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 20, 2022.Type Jennifer Hudson in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  89. "British certifications – Jamelia". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 2, 2025.Type Jamelia in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  90. "British certifications – Joan Armatrading". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 3, 2025.Type Joan Armatrading in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  91. 1 2 "British certifications – Robyn". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 22, 2022.Type Robyn in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  92. McLean, Craig (11 June 2010). "Swedish Pop Sensation Robyn Brings 'Body Talk' To United States". Billboard. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
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  97. "British certifications – Aaliyah". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 18, 2022.Type Aaliyah in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.