A girl group is a popular music act featuring several female singers who generally harmonize together. Girl groups have been popular at least since the heyday of the Boswell Sisters beginning in the 1930s, but the term "girl group" also denotes the wave of American female pop singing groups who flourished in the late 1950s and early 1960s between the decline of early rock and roll and the British Invasion, many of whom were influenced by doo-wop style. This article covers only girl groups from that era and later. The term "girl group" also includes Japanese and Korean idol groups. In Japan, these groups began to gain popularity in the late 1990s, while in South Korea, they gained popularity in the 2000s and early 2010s. Korean girl groups make up a significant factor in the Korean Wave.
Sales figures records in most countries are not available before the 1990s, so it is difficult to accurately determine best-selling records, either by country or worldwide. Certification levels have been used for most countries, but certification was not common until the 1970s in the US and UK, and later in other countries. In addition, in many countries certification is for shipments of a record to retailers, rather than actual sales. Changes from 2010 onwards as certifications have become based on combined sales figures and streaming instead of sales alone have complicated matters further.
As a result, these tables should not be considered finalized of the best-selling records by girl groups in each country.
Best-selling girl groups worldwide
Groups with claimed total record sales of more than 20 million:
Artist Country of origin Number of members Period active Genre Studio albums Claimed sales Spice Girls United Kingdom 5 → 4 → 5 → 4 1994–2000, 2007–2008, 2012, 2018–2019 3 100 millionSpice Girls sales:
The Supremes United States 4 → 3 1959–1977, 1983, 2000 29 100 millionThe Supremes sales:
The Andrews Sisters United States 3 1925–1953, 1956–1967 12 75 million75 million claimed sales through the years:
2NE1 South Korea 4 → 3 → 4 2009–2016, 2024–present K-pop 2 66 million2NE1 claimed sales: TLC United States 3 → 2 1991–present 5 65 millionTLC claimed sales: AKB48 Japan Rotational 2005–present J-pop 8 60 million Destiny's Child United States 4 → 3 1997–2006 5 60 millionDestiny's Child claimed sales: The Pussycat Dolls United States 6 → 5 → 3 2003–10, 2019–2021, 2026 2 54 millionLittle Mix United Kingdom 4 → 3 2011–2022 6 50 millionLittle Mix sales: 50 million claim Twice South Korea 9 2015–present K-pop 7 47 million20,312,509 album sales = 15,015,037 (South Korea) + 4,253,472 (Japan) + 1,044,000 (US); South Korea album sales: 15,015,037 = 267,077 (2015) + 923,621 (2016) + 1,638,430 (2017) + 1,758,374 (2018) + 1,140,874 (2019) + 1,346,081 (2020) + 1,735,279 (2021) + 1,181,608 (2022) + 1,675,890 (2023) + 2,187,106 (2024) + 1,160,697 (2025)
27,656,453 songs sales = 24,993,884 (South Korea) + 2,617,569 (Japan) + 45,000 (US); Singles sales in South Korea: 23,987,979 = 2,500,000 ("Like Ooh-Ahh") + 2,737,015 ("Cheer Up") + 2,500,000 ("TT") + 2,500,000 ("Knock Knock") + 1,250,964 ("Signal") + 2,500,000 ("Likey") + 2,500,000 ("Heart Shaker") + 2,500,000 ("What Is Love?") + 2,500,000 ("Dance the Night Away") + 2,500,000 ("Yes or Yes"); 2,500,000 ("Like Ooh-Ahh") + 2,500,000 ("TT")
2,737,015 ("Cheer Up")
2,500,000 ("Knock Knock")
1,250,964 ("Signal")
2,500,000 ("Likey") + 2,500,000 ("Heart Shaker")
2,500,000 ("What Is Love?") + 2,500,000 ("Dance the Night Away") + 2,500,000 ("Yes or Yes")
993,069 (Other charted Korean songs) = 19,601 ("Do It Again") + 145,962 (Page Two tracks) + 219,950 (Twicecoaster: Lane 1 tracks) + 62,170 ("Ice Cream") + 145,568 (Signal tracks) + 299, 496 (Twicetagram tracks) + 100,322 ("Merry & Happy"); 19,601 ("Do It Again")
145,962 (Page Two tracks) = 38,275 ("Precious Love") + 33,087 ("Touchdown") + 26,187 ("Woohoo") + 25,355 ("Tuk Tok") + 23,058 ("My Headphones On")
219,950 (Twicecoaster: Lane 1 tracks) = 51,243 ("1 to 10") + 40,724 ("One in a Million") + 33,140 ("Ponytail") + 33,376 ("Jelly Jelly") + 30,884 ("Pit-a-Pat") + 30,583 ("Next Page")
62,170 ("Ice Cream")
145,568 (Signal tracks) = 32,978 ("Only You") + 31,780 ("Three Times a Day") + 27,741 ("Someone Like Me") + 26,658 ("Hold Me Tight") + 26,411 ("Eye Eye Eyes")
299, 496 (Twicetagram tracks) = 58,485 ("Turtle") + 35,213 ("Missing U") + 22,128 ("Wow") + 21,665 ("24/7") + 20,773 ("FFW") + 20,934 ("You in My Heart") + 20,725 ("Look at Me") + 20,313 ("Love Line") + 20,168 ("Ding Dong") + 19,796 ("Don't Give Up") + 19,774 ("Jaljayo Good Night") + 19,522 ("Rollin'")
100,322 ("Merry & Happy")
Singles sales in Japan: 2,538,197 = 100,000 ("TT") + 13,333 ("Heart Shaker") + 15,735 ("What Is Love?") + 12,705 ("Dance the Night Away") + 15,954 ("Yes or Yes") + 16,963 ("Fancy") + 8,424 ("Feel Special") + 10,361 ("More & More") + 8,802 ("I Can't Stop Me") + 4,606 ("Set Me Free") + 5,942 ("One Spark") + 267,533 ("One More Time") + 371,099 ("Candy Pop") + 383,156 ("Wake Me Up") + 321,697 ("Happy Happy") + 326,794 ("Breakthrough") + 220,154 ("Fanfare") + 105,821 ("Better") + 97,993 ("Kura Kura") + 62,303 ("Doughnut") + 165,046 ("Hare Hare") + 2,458 ("Dive") + 1,318 ("Enemy") + + 50,332 ("I Want You Back") + 12,160 ("Moonlight Sunrise") + 4,756 ("I Got You") + 2,312 ("Strategy") + 3,523 ("This Is For"); 100,000 ("TT")
13,333 ("Heart Shaker")
15,735 ("What Is Love?")
12,705 ("Dance the Night Away")
15,954 ("Yes or Yes")
16,963 ("Fancy")
8,424 ("Feel Special")
10,361 ("More & More")
8,802 ("I Can't Stop Me")
4,606 ("Set Me Free")
5,942 ("One Spark")
267,533 ("One More Time")
371,099 ("Candy Pop")
383,156 ("Wake Me Up")
21,697 ("Happy Happy") + 326,794 ("Breakthrough")
220,154 ("Fanfare")
105,821 ("Better")
97,993 ("Kura Kura")
62,303 ("Doughnut")
165,046 ("Hare Hare")
2,458 ("Dive")
1,318 ("Enemy")
50,332 ("I Want You Back")
12,160 ("Moonlight Sunrise")
4,756 ("I Got You")
2,312 ("Strategy")
Promotional Japanese single: 6,289 ("Stay by My Side")
Single sales in the US: 45,000 = 33,000 ("TT") + 3,000 ("Knock Knock") + 5,000 ("Likey") + 2,000 ("Fancy") + 2,000 ("Feel Special") + 33,000 ("TT") + 3,000 ("Knock Knock") + 2,000 ("Fancy")
5,000 ("Likey")
2,000 ("Feel Special") Girls' Generation South Korea 9 → 8 2007–2017, 2022 K-pop 10 45 million45,195,267 breakdown: 34.4 million claimed sales as of 17 November 2012:
Sales beyond 17 November 2012: Total album sales: 2,425,132 Korean studio albums: 1,065,459 = 375,886 (I Got A Boy) + 187,861 (Lion Heart) + 191,407 (Holiday Night) + 310,305 (Forever 1); Korean sales:
Japanese sales:
US sales:
Japanese studio albums: 378,300 = 205,600 (Girls & Peace) + 172,700 (Love & Peace); Korean sales:
Japanese sales:
Live albums: 21,499 (2011 Girls’ Generation Tour); Korean sales
Japanese sales:
Compilation albums: 207,400 = 24,600 (Best Selection Non Stop Mix) + 182,800 (The Best); Japanese sales:
Video albums: 278,600 = 89,000 (Girls’ Generation Complete Video Collection) + 77,000 (Girls & Peace: 2nd Japan Tour) + 48,300 (Love & Peace: 3rd Japan Tour) + 37,000 (‘The Best Live’ at Tokyo Dome) + 27,300 (Girls’ Generation–Phantasia-in Japan); Japanese sales:
Extended plays: 200,431 (Mr. Mr.) Korean sales:
Japanese sales:
US sales:
Single albums: 273,443 = 81,443 (Party) + 39,000 (Flower Power) + 55,000 (Love & Girls) + 70,000 (Galaxy Supernova) + 28,000 (Catch Me If You Can) Korean sales:
Japanese sales:
Korean songs sales: 8,370,135 = 444,178 (2012) + 3,225,501 (2013) + 1,628,133 (2014) + 2,265,565 (2015) + 379,716 (2016) + 427,042 (2017) Korean December 2012 songs sales: 444,178 ("Dancing Queen")
Korean 2013 songs sales: 3,225,501 = 1,354,672 ("I Got A Boy") + 580,428 ("Dancing Queen") + 196,401 ("Baby Maybe") + 147,315 ("Talk Talk" ") + 139,453 ("Promise") + 291,520 ("Express 999") + 172,408 ("Lost in Love") + 110,080 ("Look at Me") + 103,888 ("XYZ") + 129,336 ("Romantic St."); 1,354,672 ("I Got A Boy") + 580,428 ("Dancing Queen")
291,520 ("Express 999")
196,401 ("Baby Maybe") + 147,315 ("Talk Talk") + 139,453 ("Promise") + 172,408 ("Lost in Love") + 110,080 ("Look at Me") + 103,888 ("XYZ") + 129,336 ("Romantic St.")
Korean 2014 songs sales: 1,628,133 = 906,962 ("Mr. Mr.") + 292,443 ("Goodbye") + 191,060 ("Wait a Minute") + 83,250 ("Back Hug") + 81,771 ("Europa") + 72,647 ("Soul") 906,962 ("Mr. Mr.")
292,443 ("Goodbye")
191,060 ("Wait a Minute")
83,250 ("Back Hug") + 81,771 ("Europa") + 72,647 ("Soul")
Korean 2015 songs sales: 2,265,565 = 135,068 ("Catch Me If You Can") + 843,843 ("Party") + 911,721 ("Lion Heart") + 119,910 ("You Think") + 19,894 ("Girls") + 93,873 ("Check") + 27,826 ("Green Light") + 25,358 ("One Afternoon") + 22,614 ("Paradise") + 22,606 ("Bump It") + 22,553 ("Fire Alarm") + 20,299 ("Talk Talk"); 843,843 ("Party") + 911,721 ("Lion Heart")
135,068 ("Catch Me If You Can")
19,894 ("Girls")
93,873 ("Check")
119,910 ("You Think")
27,826 ("Green Light") + 25,358 ("One Afternoon") + 22,614 ("Paradise") + 22,606 ("Bump It") + 22,553 ("Fire Alarm") + 20,299 ("Talk Talk")
Korean 2016 songs sales: 379,716 = 171,049 ("Sailing (0805)") + 208,667 ("Lion Heart") 171,049 ("Sailing (0805)")
208,667 ("Lion Heart")
Korean 2017 songs sales: 427,042 = 147,577 ("All Night") + 279,465 ("Holiday") Davichi South Korea 2 2008–present K-pop 3 42 million42,199,978 breakdown: Total albums sales: 84,198 = 19,630 (2008) + 16,749 (2010) + 14,738 (2011) + 1,222 (2012) + 17,064 (2013) + 7,448 (2015) + 3,927 (2016) + 3,420 (2018)
42,115,780 songs sales: 8,178,295 (2010) + 8,532,907 (2011) + 8,695,952 (2012) + 7,024,921 (2013) + 2,141,885 (2014) + 3,242,132 (2015) + 3,954,905 (2016) + 344,783 2010 songs sales: 8,178,295 = 2,676,554 ("Time, Please Stop") + 1,845,047 ("From Me to You") + 2,301,658 ("Wonder Woman") + 1,355,036 ("I Can’t Love You or Say Goodbye");
2011 songs sales: 8,532,907 = 3,285,936 ("Don’t Say Goodbye") + 727,140 ("We Were In Love") + 2,011,708 ("Love, My Love") + 392,420 ("Don’t Find Me Again") + 142,180 ("Happy End") + 186,696 ("Secret") + 774,943 ("My Only One") + 642,598 ("Heaven") + 369,286 ("To Angel"); 3,285,936 ("Don’t Say Goodbye") + 2,011,708 ("Love, My Love")
774,943 ("My Only One")
303,365 ("Don’t Find Me Again") + 142,180 ("Happy End") + 186,696 ("Secret")
89,055 ("Don’t Find Me Again")
369,286 ("To Angel")
727,140 ("We Were In Love")
2012 songs sales: 8,695,952 = 2,269,557 ("I’ll Think of You") + 1,383,331 ("Do Men Cry") + 1,261,418 ("Love is All the Same") + 435,594 ("If It is Like Tonight") + 471,581 ("Don’t Say Goodbye") + 1,960,395 ("We Were In Love") + 914,076 ("Because It’s You"); 2,269,557 ("I’ll Think of You") + 1,960,395 ("We Were In Love") + 1,261,418 ("Love is All the Same") + 914,076 ("Because It’s You")
1,383,331 ("Do Men Cry")
471,581 ("Don’t Say Goodbye")
435,594 ("If It is Like Tonight")
2013 songs sales: 7,024,921 = 1,439,190 ("Turtle") + 778,673("Just Two of Us") + 1,316,544 ("Be Warmed") + 1,137,915 ("Missing You Today") + 723,636 ("The Letter") + 168,851 ("Bikini") + 98,021 ("You Are My Everything") + 87,164 ("Cry for Love") + 79,722 ("One Person’s Story") + 64,026 ("Nagging") + 57,554 ("I Want to Be Brave and Breakup") + 55,508 ("Things That Still Come Up in My Memory") + 53,835 ("Taste of Tears") + 867,745 ("Don’t You Know?") + 96,537 ("Don't Say Goodbye"); 1,439,190 ("Turtle") + 778,673("Just Two of Us") + 1,316,544 ("Be Warmed") + 1,137,915 ("Missing You Today") + 867,745 ("Don’t You Know?")
723,636 ("The Letter")
168,851 ("Bikini")
98,021 ("You Are My Everything") + 87,164 ("Cry for Love")
79,722 ("One Person’s Story") + 64,026 ("Nagging") + 57,554 ("I Want to Be Brave and Breakup") + 55,508 ("Things That Still Come Up in My Memory") + 53,835 ("Taste of Tears")
96,537 ("Don't Say Goodbye")
2014 songs sales: 2,141,885 = 744,994 ("Again") + 306,089 ("Pillow") + 269,345 ("Don’t Move") + 13,837 ("The Letter") + 807,620 ("It’s Okay, That’s Love");