Best Selling Metal, Hard Rock Albums of All Time
The list below is based on RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) data
and reflects sales figures in the United States.
and reflects sales figures in the United States.
| Cover art | Artist name / Album title | Format | Certified Units | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Live [Live] October 27, 1992 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | March 1974 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | November 18, 2002 Hard Rock, Post-Grunge, Alternative Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | April 12, 1975 Hard Rock, Blues Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | April 13, 1981 Hard Rock, AOR | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | At Budokan [Live] February 1979 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | August 2, 1986 Hard Rock, Glam Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | July 5, 1988 Hard Rock, Glam Metal, Blues Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | December 24, 1992 Hard Rock, AOR | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | May 26, 1986 Hard Rock, Glam Metal, AOR | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | 1984 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | May 14, 1977 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | June 6, 1987 Hard Rock, AOR | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | The Ultimate Experience [Compilation] November 2, 1992 Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | May 1978 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | April 1979 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | March 1980 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | November 16, 1999 Nu Metal, Alternative Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | March 31, 1976 Hard Rock, Blues Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | One More From the Road [Live] September 1976 Southern Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | Gold & Platinum [Compilation] December 1979 Southern Rock, Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | July 25, 1983 Thrash Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | November 18, 1997 Heavy Metal, Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | October 20, 1989 Industrial Rock, Electro-Industrial, Synthpop | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | November 3, 1981 Heavy Metal, Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | May 18, 1983 Heavy Metal, Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | September 11, 2001 Nu Metal, Rap Metal, Alternative Metal, Reggae Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | April 25, 2000 Nu Metal, Rap Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | May 16, 1986 Glam Metal, Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | June 21, 1990 Glam Metal, Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | August 28, 2001 Post-Grunge, Alternative Metal, Alternative Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | November 21, 1975 Hard Rock, Art Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | Classic Queen [Compilation] March 3, 1992 Hard Rock, Pop Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | September 4, 1990 Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | November 10, 1992 Rap Metal, Alternative Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | April 16, 1996 Rap Metal, Alternative Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | March 27, 1984 Glam Metal, Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | 1998 Industrial Metal, Heavy Metal, Groove Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | April 1, 1976 Progressive Rock, Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | March 27, 1984 Hard Rock, Heavy Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | July 7, 1977 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | September 1978 AOR, Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | January 10, 1981 Hard Rock, AOR, Pop Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | September 4, 2001 Alternative Metal, Nu Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | 1977 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | Double Live Gonzo! [Live] 1978 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | August 25, 1971 Rock, Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | October 1, 1996 Alternative Metal, Progressive Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | 1996 Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | May 10, 1984 Heavy Metal, Glam Metal | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | March 26, 1980 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | April 17, 1991 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | January 24, 1995 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | Best of - Volume I [Compilation] October 22, 1996 Hard Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | Greatest Hits [Compilation] April 14, 1992 Blues Rock, Hard Rock, Southern Rock | Album | 3,000,000 | 3x Multi-Platinum |
 | June 1977 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | September 26, 1995 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | October 20, 2008 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | January 1973 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | December 1977 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | March 18, 1997 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits [Compilation] July 2, 2002 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | August 21, 1990 Grunge, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | November 7, 1995 Grunge, Alternative Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | 1979 Hard Rock, Blues Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | 10 From 6 [Compilation] December 1985 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | July 23, 1982 Hard Rock, AOR | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | July 21, 1971 Heavy Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll [Compilation] December 1975 Heavy Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | November 3, 1992 Hard Rock, AOR | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | June 13, 2000 Pop Rock, Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | Greatest Hits [Compilation] 1997 Hard Rock, AOR | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | February 22, 1990 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | March 25, 1972 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | June 11, 1981 Hard Rock, NWOBHM | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | September 17, 2002 Alternative Metal, Nu Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | September 20, 2005 Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | October 3, 2006 Alternative Metal, Alternative Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | July 19, 1990 Hard Rock, Funk Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | August 21, 1990 Hard Rock, Glam Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | The Very Best ... and Beyond [Compilation] September 22, 1992 Hard Rock, AOR | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | October 31, 2000 Hard Rock, Alternative Metal, Nu Metal, Post-Grunge | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | June 15, 1970 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | Live Album [Live] November 16, 1970 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | April 12, 1989 Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Glam Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | September 1978 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | Greatest Hits / Live [Compilation] November 29, 1980 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | March 26, 1990 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | 2003 Alternative Metal, Post-Grunge | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | August 21, 1990 Alternative Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Funk Rock, Heavy Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | Collision Course [EP] November 30, 2004 Mashup, Rap Rock, Hip Hop, Nu Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | Band of Gypsys [Live] March 25, 1970 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix [Compilation] 1997 Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | July 1990 Pop Rock, Hard Rock, Glam Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | Captured [Live] February 1981 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | May 1986 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | The Essential Journey [Compilation] October 16, 2001 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | July 14, 1982 Heavy Metal | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | March 15, 1976 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
 | Alive II [Live] November 1977 Hard Rock | Album | 2,000,000 | 2x Multi-Platinum |
