Current Best Selling Single of All Time
The best selling single of all time is "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, according to the latest estimates from the RIAA and IFPI, with estimated global sales exceeding 50 million physical and digital copies combined. This holiday standard, first recorded in 1942, has maintained its top position for decades due to recurring seasonal demand and widespread radio play. The track is frequently cited by music historians and certification bodies as the benchmark for the highest selling single in history.
Modern equivalents, such as "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd and "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran, have reached hundreds of millions of streams but have not yet matched the lifetime unit sales of "White Christmas." Streaming equivalents are calculated by official chart bodies using the standard ratio of 150 streams equals one unit sale, but these figures remain distinct from pure sales certifications. The gap between pure sales and streaming-adjusted units is a key reason why the oldest holiday classic still holds the top rank in pure sales metrics.
How Best Selling Single Status Is Measured
Certification bodies such as the RIAA, BPI, and IFPI track best selling single status using a combination of physical sales, digital downloads, and official streaming equivalents, with each territory applying its own certification thresholds. The RIAA awards Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum certifications based on equivalent units, where one unit equals one sale or a fixed number of streams, and these figures are publicly reported in their database. The IFPI compiles global estimates by aggregating national data, and their annual Global Music Report provides the most authoritative cross-border ranking of top selling singles.
Because certification rules vary by country, a single that dominates one market may not lead in another, which is why the all-time global list relies on combined estimates rather than a single chart. The IFPI and official national charts, such as the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100, provide the underlying data points used to compile these estimates. For the most current methodology details, the IFPI Global Music Report and the RIAA certification database are the primary public sources used by analysts.
Top Contenders and Streaming Era Impact
Other top contenders for best selling single status include "Candle in the Wind 1997" by Elton John and "Something" by The Beatles, both of which have achieved multi-Platinum certifications in multiple territories. "Candle in the Wind 1997" is the best selling physical single of the modern era, with the RIAA certifying over 11 million units in the United States alone, driven by massive first-week sales and sustained demand following its release. These figures are drawn directly from the RIAA Gold & Platinum database and official chart history.
In the streaming era, songs like "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd and "Dance Monkey" by Tones and I have accumulated billions of streams, translating to tens of millions of equivalent units, yet they remain below the all-time pure sales leaders. The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" became the longest-charting song in Billboard Hot 100 history, a milestone documented by Billboard and Luminate, and its global streaming totals are tracked by Luminate and IFPI. As streaming continues to grow, the gap between pure sales and streaming-adjusted units will likely narrow, but the all-time list based on certified sales will continue to be anchored by legacy holiday and classic hits.