Who Has the Most Platinum Records?

Have you ever wondered who has the most platinum records of all time? And for that matter, what even is a platinum record? Well, worry not, we've got you covered. Today, we'll be breaking down everything from the meaning of platinum to the top 20 best-selling artists of all time.

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If you ever see the term "platinum" thrown around in music, then you'll definitely be seeing "RIAA" next to it. The RIAA is the Recording Industry Association of America, and they document album sales for all artists. Certifications aren't automatic, as the record label behind the music has to request for a work to be certified. Gold status means that a work has sold 500,000 copies, while platinum signifies one million copies sold, not to mention diamond, which represents 10 million copies sold.

At this point in time, since most music is streamed rather than bought in record or CD form. The equation generally used nowadays to convert these metrics to raw album sales is as follows: 1,500 streams = 10 song sales = 1 album sale.

Without further ado, let's get into it. From number 20 to number 1, here are the artists with the most platinum album certifications.

Platinum Albums: 11

Best Selling Album: No Fences (17.8 million units sold)

To kick off our list for who has the most platinum records, we start with Garth Brooks at number 20. While he's sold less platinum records than the rest of our list, it's still a huge accomplishment to make this list at all. He has 11 platinum albums, and a top-seller of 17.8 million units with his album No Fences.

Platinum Albums: 12

Best Selling Album: Purple Rain (25 million units sold)

Prince is one of the most famous musicians of all time, and it makes sense why. The superstar talent knew what he was doing, as made blatantly apparent by his 12 platinum albums.

Platinum Albums: 12

Best Selling Album: The Greatest Hits Collection (6.4 million units sold)

Alan Jackson is no stranger to the music game with 12 platinum selling albums, the top-seller of which boasts over 6 million units sold.

Platinum Albums: 12

Best Selling Album: The Joshua Tree (over 25 million units sold)

At number 17 on our list is U2, who've accomplished 12 platinum certifications, along with selling over 25 million units for their album, The Joshua Tree.

Platinum Albums: 13

Best Selling Album: Chicago IX - Chicago's Greatest Hits (6.9 million units sold)

At number 16 on our list for who has the most platinum records is Chicago. This band is still going to this day, and has clocked 13 platinum albums since their start.

Platinum Albums: 13

Best Selling Album: Born In The U.S.A. (25 million units sold)

Bruce Springsteen is a legend in his home state of New Jersey and beyond. Seriously, they treat him like a god in the garden state, and for good reason. With 13 platinum albums, he's made quite the name for himself; not to mention, he's the sole owner of his top-selling album Born In The U.S.A.

Platinum Albums: 13

Best Selling Album: Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life (5.4 million units sold)

Jay-Z is a mogul, and is one of the only hip-hop artists to make his way onto our list for who has the most platinum records. Of his 13 platinum records, the top performing one is Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, with over 5.4 million units sold.

Platinum Albums: 13

Best Selling Album: Blondes Have More Fun (over 14 million units sold)

While Rod Stewart may not be the answer to your question, "who has the most platinum records?," he surely has a lot. 13 platinum certifications is just the beginning of why the world has come to love him and his music so much.

Platinum Albums: 14

Best Selling Album: Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits (over 13 million units sold)

Kenny Rogers is a legend in the music business for good reason. He has 14 platinum albums, with a top-seller of 13 million units in his Greatest Hits.

Platinum Albums: 14

Best Selling Album: Moving Pictures (over 5 million units sold)

Who else remembers just how much Paul Rudd loved Rush in I Love You, Man? Well, clearly he's not alone; the group has 14 platinum albums, with a top-seller moving over 5 million units.

Platinum Albums: 14

Best Selling Album: Back In Black (over 60 million units sold)

AC/DC showed the world just how Australians roll. Their top-selling album, Back In Black, sold over 60 million units, and is one of 14 albums they made which went platinum.

Platinum Albums: 15

Best Selling Album: Give Me The Reason (over 2.6 million units sold)

Luther Vandross has a voice of silk, and clearly that translates to record sales in the music game. With 15 platinum albums, he's stamped his name in the game forever.

Platinum Albums: 15

Best Selling Album: Greatest Hits (over 5.1 million units sold)

Alabama grew acclaim for making timeless music, and the numbers prove it. Talk about stats: 15 platinum selling albums, and a top-performer of 5.1 million units.

Platinum Albums: 15

Best Selling Album: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (over 5.1 million units sold)

Reba McEntire is no stranger to selling records. With 15 platinum albums, and a top-performing album with over 5 million units sold, she's safely earned her spot on our list.

Platinum Albums: 16

Best Selling Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (over 31 million units sold)

Elton John just appropriately finished up his final tour in the US, called the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tour, named after his 31-million-unit-selling album, which was one of 16 to go platinum.

Platinum Albums: 17

Best Selling Album: Guilty (over 12 million units sold)

Yes, Barbara Streisand was in Meet the Fockers, but her claim to fame was as one of the top-selling artists of all time. Her collaborative album with Bee Gee's frontman Barry Gibb, Guilty, sold over 12 million units alone, and is one of seventeen albums to go platinum.

Platinum Albums: 18

Best Selling Album: Sticky Fingers (over 22 million units sold)

The Rolling Stones have 18 platinum selling albums, and a top-selling album with over 22 million units sold. 22 million streams would be impressive enough, but this is much greater of an accomplishment than that.

Platinum Albums: 19

Best Selling Album: Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (over 32 million units sold)

The Beatles are a timeless group, who are growing even more popular by the day. Their top-selling album sold over 32 million copies, and is one of nineteen platinum selling albums they've released. Not too shabby.

Platinum Albums: 24

Best Selling Album: Pure Country (over 6.1 million units sold)

All my exes live in Texas like I'm... never-mind. This country legend clocked 24 platinum albums in his time as a recording artist, which is no easy feat. If you've been wondering who has the most platinum records, then you're getting closer than ever.

Platinum Albums: 30

Best Selling Album: Elvis' Christmas Album (over 20 million units sold)

You can't really act surprised when you see Elvis Presley at the top of this list. You know, there's a reason why they called him "The King." You wanted to know who has the most platinum records, and here he is!