Who is the best-selling music artist of all time?
The Beatles are the best-selling music artists of all time, with estimated worldwide sales of more than 600 million units. Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson are close behind.
The Beatles were active only from 1960 to 1970, yet they released many of the most influential albums in history, such as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Abbey Road. They also hold the record for the most number-one hits on the US Billboard Hot 100, with 20.
Sales figures for older artists are estimates, because sales were not tracked consistently worldwide. Most lists put Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson next, followed by artists such as Elton John, Madonna and Queen.
In the streaming era
Today, streams are counted alongside sales. Taylor Swift and Drake are among the most-streamed artists, and Swift's Eras Tour became the highest-grossing concert tour ever.
Record sales are usually counted in certified units, which include albums, singles and, in recent years, streams converted into equivalent sales. That is why rankings from different sources can vary.
Did You Know?
In the United States, Garth Brooks has sold the most albums of any solo artist, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.