The Bible is the best-selling book of all time, with 5 to 7 billion copies sold worldwide.
This ranking of the best-selling books This section of the history compiles the titles with the strongest sales figures. Most of these remain estimates, as sales data was not centralized for a long time.
Before the advent of electronic cash registers, the sales figures were based on estimates publishers, authors, and booksellers. Many older books lack complete information.
This list also includes both standalone titles and series such as Harry Potter, which is noted for each entry to ensure the comparisons are fair.
Number 1: «The Bible»
The Bible is, without a doubt, the best-selling book of all time. According to the Guinness World Records, its sales and distribution are estimated to be between 5 and 7 billion copies worldwide. This figure is still an estimate, as there is no single publisher that centralizes sales.
This sacred text has been translated into hundreds of languages, which explains its unparalleled popularity in the history of literature. It brings together the’Elder and the New Testament. It is one of the oldest works still read today, and its influence on readers around the world remains immense.
Please note: the Quran is also one of the world's best-selling books. Several hundred million copies have been distributed. Considered the sacred text of Islam, the Quran is read daily by hundreds of millions of readers.
Written in Arabic, it too has been translated into many languages. Some estimates put its sales at between 800 million and 1 billion copies over the centuries, although the exact figures remain difficult to determine.
No. 2: «Quotes from Chairman Mao Zedong»
This collection is best known as little red book. It compiles the quotes and political thoughts of Mao Zedong, head of the China Communist. Mao In it, he sets forth his ideas on the revolution, the people, and power.
Its popularity skyrocketed during the Cultural Revolution launched in 1964, two years after its publication. Every Chinese citizen was then required to own a copy, which was distributed on a massive scale by the government. This red book quickly became a major political symbol of the 20th century.
Today, sales of this product are estimated at little book to 900 million copies. It is one of the most widely distributed works in history, thanks to an unprecedented government-led distribution effort.
Number 3: «Don Quixote»
Don Quichotte is a novel written by Miguel de Cervantes, published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. This classic of world literature tells the story of a knight-errant who mistakes his dreams for reality.
Cervantes He created one of the most famous characters in literary history. The novel is often considered one of the first modern novels and a masterpiece of Spanish literature.
Its sales are estimated at 500 million copies sold in the world. Miguel remains one of the most widely read authors of all time, and Don Quichotte of the English Channel ranks high on this list of the best-selling books in history.
Number 4: «Harry Potter»
Written by J.K. Rowling, the saga of the young wizard remains the biggest hit of the modern literature. The 7 volumes, from the first (Harry Potter At the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry) to the last one, exceeded the 600 million copies sold, according to the publisher Scholastic.
Harry, Ron and Hermione have become world-famous figures. K. Rowling created a literary world that transformed the reading experience for an entire generation of children and adults. Harry Potter At the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry remains one of the best-selling novels on its own, with more than 120 million copies.
Important reminder: Harry Potter is a saga, not a single title. That explains why it narrowly beats out the Chinese dictionary, which is ranked right behind it. This series of novels remains one of the most widely read by readers around the world.
No. 5: «Xinhua Zidian»
the Xinhua Zidian, or «New Dictionary of Chinese Characters,» is published by Commercial Press. It is the most popular reference book on China, which has been a fixture in schools and homes since its first editions.
It has been more than 400 million copies. the Guinness World Records officially acknowledged this in 2016 as the the best-selling dictionary in history.
Number 6: «Goosebumps»
Series Goosebumps, known in French as «Goosebumps», is signed R. L. Stine. These novels Children's horror stories have left a lasting impression on an entire generation of young readers, with approximately 400 million copies sold in the world.
Its success is due to its short format, adventures that are just scary enough, and a plot twist at the end of each volume. The books have also been adapted into TV series and cinema, which has boosted sales among new readers.
Issue 7: «A Tale of Two Cities»
«A Tale of Two Cities» (A Tale of Two Cities) is a historical novel written by Charles Dickens in 1859. The story takes place in London and to Paris, set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. This classic is one of the best-known works of English literature.
This novel has been adapted many times: for film, television, radio, and the stage. This longevity partly explains its enduring success. Sales are estimated at more than 200 million copies.
Number 8: «The Little Prince»
Le Petit Prince is a poetic and philosophical tale written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, first published in 1943. This is the book best-selling French book and the most widely read in the world.
Although it seems like a children's story, this tale is aimed primarily at adults. It follows a The Little Prince from another planet, in a story about friendship, loss, and the meaning of life. Antoine has touched the hearts of readers of all generations. Saint-Exupéry created a character who has become a universal figure, whose influence extends far beyond children's literature.
Its universality has led to it being translated into hundreds of languages and dialects. In total, its sales are estimated at more than 200 million copies sold, across all formats. The The Little Prince It remains one of the most widely translated literary works in the world.
Number 9: «The Lord of the Rings»
«The Lord of the Rings» is a saga of fantasy written by J. R. R. Tolkien, published between 1954 and 1955. This novel This three-volume series recounts the adventures of Frodon and the Fellowship of the Ring.
Tolkien has created a literary universe of exceptional richness, featuring invented languages, a history spanning millennia, and imaginary lands described in meticulous detail. The Lord of the Rings is considered the seminal work of modern fantasy.
The trilogy was adapted for the big screen by Peter Jackson in the 2000s, which boosted sales among new readers. Its total sales are estimated at 150 million copies around the world. The Lord of the Rings It is thus one of the best-selling literary classics in history.
Number 10: «And Then There Were Ten» by Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None is a crime novel signed Agatha Christie. In France, it was first published under the title «Ten Little Niggers», renamed «There were ten of them» in 2020. The author herself has described it as the most difficult book she has ever written.
With approximately 100 million copies sold worldwide, it is the the best-selling mystery novel of all time. This classic of the mystery genre remains an absolute benchmark for readers and authors alike.
Issue 11: «The Dream of the Red Chamber»
«The Dream of the Red Room», also known as «The Story of Stone,» is a novel a classic written by Cao Xueqin, first published in 1791. It is considered one of the great classics of literature from China.
The work depicts the life of a large aristocratic family under the dynasty Qing. Today, it is considered a masterpiece of classical Chinese literature and is studied in countries around the world. It was sold for approximately 100 million copies since its publication.
Number 12: «The Hobbit»
«The Hobbit» was written by J. R. R. Tolkien and published in 1937. This novel This young adult fantasy novel tells the story of Bilbo, a little character swept up in a quest to the Dragon Mountain Smaug.
It is also the prequel to the famous saga of the Lord of the Rings, from the same R. Tolkien. More than 100 million copies have been sold worldwide. This little fantasy book has also been adapted for the big screen, which has sparked renewed interest in it among new audiences.
Number 13: «Alice in Wonderland»
Alice au pays des Merveilles is a story written by Lewis Carroll, published in 1865. This children's novel follows the adventures of’Alice, a little girl who has fallen into an imaginary world filled with zany characters.
Thanks to its poetic world and the originality of its themes, this literary classic has been read around the world for over a century. It has been adapted numerous times for film, television, and the stage. Its sales are estimated at more than 100 million copies in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best-Selling Books
What is the best-selling book in the world?
The Bible is the best-selling book in the world, with between 5 and 7 billion copies distributed. It is by far the most widely circulated text in the history of literature.
What is the difference between a best-selling book and the world's best-selling book?
A bestseller refers to a book that sells very well over a given period, often a few weeks or a few months.
the the world's best-selling book is a comprehensive historical ranking, compiled over centuries. A bestseller in bookstores can disappear from the lists quickly. A book like the Bible Where Don Quichotte has been building up its sales over the centuries.
What is the most widely read book in the world today?
Apart from sacred texts such as the Bible and the Quran, them best-selling books and the most-read articles today vary from year to year.
Young adult series such as Harry Potter continue to generate significant sales. In the e-book market, public-domain classics are also seeing a resurgence in interest.
What is the best-selling French book in the world?
Le Petit Prince ofAntoine de Saint-Exupéry is the best-selling French book in the world.
With over 200 million copies, this tale remains the most widely translated and most widely read French literary work worldwide.
These sales figures echo other cultural records. Just like the most-watched movie in the world or the artists with the most gold records, books that reach such heights share one thing in common: a universality that transcends cultures and generations.
Of all these books, which one is your favorite?
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