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The Biggest Albums by Women in Billboard 200 History

The Biggest Albums by Women in Billboard 200 History

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The Biggest Albums by Women in Billboard 200 History

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100. Natalie Cole, “Unforgettable: With Love” (1991)

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99. Barbra Streisand, “Funny Girl (Soundtrack)” (1968)

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98. Beyoncé, “Dangerously in Love” (2003)

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97. Nicki Minaj, “The Pinkprint” (2014)

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96. P!nk, “M!ssundaztood” (2001)

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95. H.E.R., “H.E.R.” (Compilation, 2017)

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94. Ariana Grande, “Dangerous Woman” (2016)

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93. P!nk, “The Truth About Love” (2012)

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92. Madonna, “Like a Virgin” (1984)

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91. The Pussycat Dolls, “PCD” (2005)

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90. Toni Braxton, “Toni Braxton” (1993)

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89. Cyndi Lauper, “She’s So Unusual” (1983)

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88. Christina Aguilera, “Christina Aguilera” (1999)

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87. Gretchen Wilson, “Here For The Party” (2004)

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86. Mariah Carey, “Music Box” (1993)

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85. Lauren Daigle, “Look Up Child” (2018)

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84. SZA, “SOS” (2022)

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83. Meghan Trainor, “Title” (2015)

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82. Janet Jackson, “janet.” (1993)

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81. Céline Dion, “The Colour of My Love” (1993)

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80. Mary Chapin Carpenter, “Come On Come On” (1992)

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79. Faith Hill, “Breathe” (1999)

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78. LeAnn Rimes, “Blue” (1996)

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77. Carrie Underwood, “Carnival Ride” (2007)

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76. Amy Grant, “Heart In Motion” (1991)

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75. Enya, “A Day Without Rain” (2000)

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74. Tina Turner, “Private Dancer” (1984)

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73. Beyoncé, “I Am... Sasha Fierce” (2008)

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72. P!nk, “Funhouse” (2008)

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71. Miranda Lambert, “Revolution” (2009)

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70. Destiny’s Child, “The Writing’s on the Wall” (1999)

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69. Jane Fonda, “Jane Fonda’s Workout Record” (1982)

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68. Bonnie Raitt, “Luck of the Draw” (1991)

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67. Taylor Swift, “Midnights” (2022)

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66. Fergie, “The Dutchess” (2006)

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65. The Pointer Sisters, “Break Out” (1983)

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64. Taylor Swift, “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)

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63. Stevie Nicks, “Bella Donna” (1981)

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62. Melissa Etheridge, “Yes I Am” (1993)

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61. Billie Eilish, “Happier Than Ever” (2021)

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60. Janet Jackson, “Control” (1986)

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59. Halsey, “Badlands” (2015)

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58. Lizzo, “Cuz I Love You” (2019)

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57. Janet Jackson, “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814” (1989)

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56. Britney Spears, “…Baby One More Time” (1999)

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55. Wilson Phillips, “Wilson Phillips” (1990)

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54. Melanie Martinez, “Cry Baby” (2015)

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53. Kelly Clarkson, “Breakaway” (2004)

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52. TLC, “CrazySexyCool” (1994)

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51. Spice Girls, “Spice” (1997)

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50. Mariah Carey, “Merry Christmas” (1994)

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49. Sarah McLachlan, “Surfacing” (1997)

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48. Mariah Carey, “Mariah Carey” (1990)

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47. Rihanna, “Good Girl Gone Bad” (2007)

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46. Madonna, “Madonna” (1983)

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45. Shania Twain, “The Woman In Me” (1995)

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44. Taylor Swift, “Red” (2012)

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43. The Chicks, “Fly” (1999)

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42. Amy Winehouse, “Back to Black” (2007 U.S. release)

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41. Jewel, “Pieces of You” (1995)

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40. Lady A, “Need You Now” (2010)

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39. Lady A, “Lady Antebellum” (2008)

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38. Céline Dion, “Falling into You” (1996)

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37. Ariana Grande, “Thank U, Next” (2019)

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36. Beyoncé, “Beyoncé” (2013)

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35. Doja Cat, “Hot Pink” (2019)

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34. Bonnie Raitt, “Nick Of Time” (1989)

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33. The Chicks, “Wide Open Spaces” (1998)

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32. Enya, “Shepherd Moons” (1991)

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31. Anita Baker, “Rapture” (1986)

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30. Alanis Morissette, “Jagged Little Pill” (1995)

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29. Whitney Houston / Various Artists, “The Bodyguard” (Soundtrack, 1992)

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28. Paula Abdul, “Forever Your Girl” (1988)

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27. Doja Cat, “Planet Her” (2021)

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26. Taylor Swift, “Speak Now” (2010)

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25. Taylor Swift, “Red (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)

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24. Adele, “25” (2015)

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23. Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston” (1985)

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22. Cardi B, “Invasion Of Privacy” (2018)

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21. Norah Jones, “Come Away With Me” (2002)

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20. Taylor Swift, “Evermore” (2020)

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19. Carole King, “Tapestry” (1971)

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18. Shania Twain, “Come On Over” (1997)

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17. Taylor Swift, “Fearless” (2008)

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16. Olivia Rodrigo, “Sour” (2021)

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15. Adele, “19” (2008)

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14. Billie Eilish, “dont smile at me” (EP, 2017)

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13. Dua Lipa, “Future Nostalgia” (2020)

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12. Taylor Swift, “reputation” (2017)

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11. Katy Perry, “Teenage Dream” (2010)

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10. Taylor Swift, “Folklore” (2020)

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9. Taylor Swift, “Taylor Swift” (2006)

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8. Lady Gaga, “The Fame” (2008)

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7. Billie Eilish, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” (2019)

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6. Rihanna, “ANTI” (2016)

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5. Taylor Swift, “Lover” (2019)

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4. SZA, “Ctrl” (2017)

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3. Lana Del Rey, “Born to Die” (2012)

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2. Adele, “21” (2011)

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1. Taylor Swift, “1989” (2014)

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The Biggest Albums by Women in Billboard 200 History
100. Natalie Cole, “Unforgettable: With Love” (1991)
99. Barbra Streisand, “Funny Girl (Soundtrack)” (1968)
98. Beyoncé, “Dangerously in Love” (2003)
97. Nicki Minaj, “The Pinkprint” (2014)
96. P!nk, “M!ssundaztood” (2001)
95. H.E.R., “H.E.R.” (Compilation, 2017)
94. Ariana Grande, “Dangerous Woman” (2016)
93. P!nk, “The Truth About Love” (2012)
92. Madonna, “Like a Virgin” (1984)
91. The Pussycat Dolls, “PCD” (2005)
90. Toni Braxton, “Toni Braxton” (1993)
89. Cyndi Lauper, “She’s So Unusual” (1983)
88. Christina Aguilera, “Christina Aguilera” (1999)
87. Gretchen Wilson, “Here For The Party” (2004)
86. Mariah Carey, “Music Box” (1993)
85. Lauren Daigle, “Look Up Child” (2018)
84. SZA, “SOS” (2022)
83. Meghan Trainor, “Title” (2015)
82. Janet Jackson, “janet.” (1993)
81. Céline Dion, “The Colour of My Love” (1993)
80. Mary Chapin Carpenter, “Come On Come On” (1992)
79. Faith Hill, “Breathe” (1999)
78. LeAnn Rimes, “Blue” (1996)
77. Carrie Underwood, “Carnival Ride” (2007)
76. Amy Grant, “Heart In Motion” (1991)
75. Enya, “A Day Without Rain” (2000)
74. Tina Turner, “Private Dancer” (1984)
73. Beyoncé, “I Am... Sasha Fierce” (2008)
72. P!nk, “Funhouse” (2008)
71. Miranda Lambert, “Revolution” (2009)
70. Destiny’s Child, “The Writing’s on the Wall” (1999)
69. Jane Fonda, “Jane Fonda’s Workout Record” (1982)
68. Bonnie Raitt, “Luck of the Draw” (1991)
67. Taylor Swift, “Midnights” (2022)
66. Fergie, “The Dutchess” (2006)
65. The Pointer Sisters, “Break Out” (1983)
64. Taylor Swift, “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)
63. Stevie Nicks, “Bella Donna” (1981)
62. Melissa Etheridge, “Yes I Am” (1993)
61. Billie Eilish, “Happier Than Ever” (2021)
60. Janet Jackson, “Control” (1986)
59. Halsey, “Badlands” (2015)
58. Lizzo, “Cuz I Love You” (2019)
57. Janet Jackson, “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814” (1989)
56. Britney Spears, “…Baby One More Time” (1999)
55. Wilson Phillips, “Wilson Phillips” (1990)
54. Melanie Martinez, “Cry Baby” (2015)
53. Kelly Clarkson, “Breakaway” (2004)
52. TLC, “CrazySexyCool” (1994)
51. Spice Girls, “Spice” (1997)
50. Mariah Carey, “Merry Christmas” (1994)
49. Sarah McLachlan, “Surfacing” (1997)
48. Mariah Carey, “Mariah Carey” (1990)
47. Rihanna, “Good Girl Gone Bad” (2007)
46. Madonna, “Madonna” (1983)
45. Shania Twain, “The Woman In Me” (1995)
44. Taylor Swift, “Red” (2012)
43. The Chicks, “Fly” (1999)
42. Amy Winehouse, “Back to Black” (2007 U.S. release)
41. Jewel, “Pieces of You” (1995)
40. Lady A, “Need You Now” (2010)
39. Lady A, “Lady Antebellum” (2008)
38. Céline Dion, “Falling into You” (1996)
37. Ariana Grande, “Thank U, Next” (2019)
36. Beyoncé, “Beyoncé” (2013)
35. Doja Cat, “Hot Pink” (2019)
34. Bonnie Raitt, “Nick Of Time” (1989)
33. The Chicks, “Wide Open Spaces” (1998)
32. Enya, “Shepherd Moons” (1991)
31. Anita Baker, “Rapture” (1986)
30. Alanis Morissette, “Jagged Little Pill” (1995)
29. Whitney Houston / Various Artists, “The Bodyguard” (Soundtrack, 1992)
28. Paula Abdul, “Forever Your Girl” (1988)
27. Doja Cat, “Planet Her” (2021)
26. Taylor Swift, “Speak Now” (2010)
25. Taylor Swift, “Red (Taylor’s Version)” (2021)
24. Adele, “25” (2015)
23. Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston” (1985)
22. Cardi B, “Invasion Of Privacy” (2018)
21. Norah Jones, “Come Away With Me” (2002)
20. Taylor Swift, “Evermore” (2020)
19. Carole King, “Tapestry” (1971)
18. Shania Twain, “Come On Over” (1997)
17. Taylor Swift, “Fearless” (2008)
16. Olivia Rodrigo, “Sour” (2021)
15. Adele, “19” (2008)
14. Billie Eilish, “dont smile at me” (EP, 2017)
13. Dua Lipa, “Future Nostalgia” (2020)
12. Taylor Swift, “reputation” (2017)
11. Katy Perry, “Teenage Dream” (2010)
10. Taylor Swift, “Folklore” (2020)
9. Taylor Swift, “Taylor Swift” (2006)
8. Lady Gaga, “The Fame” (2008)
7. Billie Eilish, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” (2019)
6. Rihanna, “ANTI” (2016)
5. Taylor Swift, “Lover” (2019)
4. SZA, “Ctrl” (2017)
3. Lana Del Rey, “Born to Die” (2012)
2. Adele, “21” (2011)
1. Taylor Swift, “1989” (2014)

The Biggest Albums by Women in Billboard 200 History

Women have been shaping popular music for as long as popular music has existed, but the Billboard album chart gives us one way to measure how strongly particular records connected with U.S. listeners over time. The Billboard 200 began publishing regularly as a weekly chart in March 1956, long after many pioneering women had already left their mark on music.

That history comes with an important catch: the chart itself has changed. For decades, the Billboard 200 was essentially a sales ranking. Beginning with the chart dated Dec. 13, 2014, Billboard shifted to equivalent album units that combine traditional sales, track sales, and streaming. Catalog-album eligibility has also changed over the years, which means a 1970s album and a streaming-era album did not always compete under identical rules.

To build this ranking, 24/7 Tempo used historical Billboard 200 chart performance through June 1, 2024. A week at No. 1 was worth 200 points, No. 2 was worth 199, and so on down to one point for a week at No. 200. That means this is a ranking of chart performance and longevity, not a list of the 100 best-selling albums by women.

The source dataset includes solo artists, groups featuring women, and a few nontraditional releases such as soundtracks, compilations, an EP, and an exercise record. Because the order depends on every week each title spent on the chart, the list below should be read as a June 1, 2024 snapshot. Updating only a few albums with 2026 totals would distort the ranking rather than improve it.

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