List of best-selling female music artists
The following is a list of the world's best-selling female music artists of all time. The criteria for inclusion are women whose claimed record sales have at least reached 75 million or more of their musical productions. Artists are listed in order of the number of records sold alongside available cross-referenced music recording certifications; the highest being for claims of at least 300 million records, and the lowest for claims of 75 million records.
Since there is no official entity that certifies sales in their totality; the artists' sales figure must have been published by a reliable source (news organizations and highly regarded music industry-related organization) such as Billboard, Rolling Stone, MTV, and VH1.
Madonna is believed to have sold the most records among any female music artists in history, with 300 million records sold worldwide.
Female artists by reputed sales
300 million or more records sold
Artist | Country of origin | Period of activity | Genre(s) | Estimated sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
Madonna | United States | 1982–present | Pop / dance / electronic | 300 million |
200 million to 299 million records
Artist | Country of origin | Period of activity | Genre(s) | Estimated sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rihanna | Barbados | 2005–present | Pop / R&B / Dance | 250 million |
Mariah Carey | United States | 1990–present | R&B / Pop | 220 million |
Whitney Houston | United States | 1977–2012 | R&B / Pop / Soul | 200 million |
Céline Dion | Canada | 1981–present | Pop / adult contemporary | 200 million |
Taylor Swift | United States | 2006–present | Pop / Country / Folk | 200 million |
Beyoncé | United States | 1997–present | R&B / pop / dance | 200 million |
100 million to 199 million records
75 million to 99 million records
Artist | Country of origin | Period of activity | Genre(s) | Estimated sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shakira | Colombia | 1991–present | Latin pop | 95 million |
Alicia Keys | United States | 2001–present | Hip-hop / R&B / pop | 90 million |
Christina Aguilera | United States | 1999–present | R&B / pop / rock | 90 million |
Avril Lavigne | Canada | 2002–present | Pop punk / Pop rock | 90 million |
Reba McEntire | United States | 1976–present | Country/Gospel | 90 million |
Ariana Grande | United States | 2011–present | Pop/R&B | 85 million |
Ayumi Hamasaki | Japan | 1998–present | J-pop / pop / dance | 80 million |
Kylie Minogue | Australia | 1987–present | Disco-pop | 80 million |
Enya | Ireland | 1987–present | New-age / Celtic | 75 million |
Miley Cyrus | United States | 2007–present | Pop | 75 million |
Gloria Estefan | Cuba | 1977–present | Latin Pop / pop rock | 75 million |
Aretha Franklin | United States | 1954–2018 | Soul/R&B | 75 million |
Carole King | United States | 1958–present | Pop/soft-rock | 75 million |
Alanis Morissette | Canada | 1991–present | Alternative rock | 75 million |