The Bible is generally cited as the book with the most copies sold, with estimates around 5 to 7 billion copies worldwide.

Quick Scoop

  • Most commonly cited title: The Bible.
  • Estimated copies sold/printed: about 5–7 billion.
  • Some rankings differ on whether they count printed, distributed, or sold copies, so exact totals vary.

Why estimates vary

Different lists use different methods:

  • Some count printed copies.
  • Some count distributed copies.
  • Some count sold copies.
  • Religious texts also often have broader circulation than commercial books, which makes comparisons less exact.

Other huge sellers

A few other books often near the top include:

  • Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung : around 900 million copies.
  • The Quran : at least 800 million copies, with some estimates higher.
  • Don Quixote : at least 500 million copies.

In short: The Bible is the best-known answer, and the most cited estimate is roughly 5 to 7 billion copies.