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RIAA Gold & Platinum Program

RIAA Gold & Platinum certifications have represented the pinnacle of success in the music industry since 1958. The levels described below are earned by as albums, singles and other projects from exceptional artists who meet the program’s rigorous standards.

RIAA GOLD & PLATINUM CERTIFICATON LEVELS

Certification Minimum Units
Date Established
Gold® 500,000 1958
Platinum® 1,000,000 1976
Multi-Platinum® 2,000,000  (in increments of 1,000,000 thereafter) 1984
Diamond® 10,000,000 1999
Premios de Oro y Platino
The RIAA Premios de Oro y Platino Latin Program recognizes successful albums and singles that have more than 50% Spanish language lyrics. Album sales, single sales, and on-demand audio and/or video streams are calculated at the formula of 1,500 on-demand audio and/or video streams = 10 track sales = 1 album sale.
Oro® 30,000 2001
Platino® 60,000 2001
Multi-Platino 120,000 (in increments of 60,000 thereafter) 2001
Diamante 600,000 2001

RIAA GOLD® & PLATINUM® CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Gold Platinum/Multi Diamond
DIGITAL SINGLE AWARD*
Both downloads and on-demand audio and/or video single streams are counted towards the required thresholds. The formula of 150 on-demand streams is equivalent to one download sale.
Quantity
All versions count once toward certification.
500,000 units 1,000,000 units 10,000,000 units
Requirements Recertified at each million units. Recertified at each million unit sales level.
*Additional notes:

  • Only sales and streams occurring in the United States qualify for RIAA certifications.
    • If you’re interested in learning more about international programs, please visit IFPI’s website.
  • On-demand streams on digital service providers that are authorized by and reported to the record labels, whether paid for by the consumer through a subscription or free to the consumer through ad-supported services, will be accepted for RIAA certifications
  • WhyMusicMatters.com, a joint initiative between RIAA and Music Biz, lists the leading authorized music services in the United States.
  • Only official label/company videos count towards certification; user-generated content does not.
SHORTFORM ALBUM/EP AWARD*
Album sales, single sales, and on-demand audio and/or video streams are calculated at the formula of 1,500 on-demand audio and/or video streams = 10 track sales = 1 album sale
Quantity 500,000 units One million units Two million units
Requirements Must include at least three but no more than five different songs. Must include at least three but no more than five different songs. Must include at least three but no more than five different songs.
Maximum run time is 30 minutes Maximum run time is 30 minutes. Maximum run time is 30 minutes.
Recertified at each subsequent million units.
FULL-LENGTH ALBUM AWARD*
Album sales, single sales and on-demand audio and/or video streams are calculated at the formula of 1,500 on-demand audio and/or video streams = 10 track sales = 1 album sale.
Quantity 500,000 units One million units Two million units
Requirements May combine sale of all configurations. May combine sale of all configurations. May combine sale of all configurations.
Enhanced CDs must contain at least 75% of audio content from original project. Enhanced CDs must contain at least 75% of audio content from original project. Enhanced CDs must contain at least 75% of audio content of regular CD.
Recertified at each subsequent million units.
MULTI-DISC SET
Quantity
Package must include two or more CDs, or its tape and album equivalent.
500,000 units One million units Two million units
Requirements Each unit within set counts as one unit toward certification. Each unit within set counts as one unit toward certification. Each unit within set counts as one unit toward certification.
Minimum run time is 100 minutes. Minimum run time is 100 minutes. Minimum run time 100 minutes.
Recertified at each subsequent million units.
MUSIC VIDEO SINGLE
1 unit = 1 physical sale and excludes streaming and digital sales
Quantity 25,000 units 50,000 units 100,000 units
Requirements Must contain no more than two tracks per video. Must contain no more than two tracks per video. Must contain no more than two tracks per video.
Maximum run time is 15 minutes. Maximum run time is 15 minutes. Maximum running time is 15 minutes.
1 unit = 1 physical sale and excludes streaming and digital sales Recertified at each subsequent 50,000 units (or physical sales).
MUSIC VIDEO LONGFORM
1 unit = 1 physical sale and excludes streaming and digital sales
Quantity 50,000 units 100,000 units 200,000 units
Requirements Defined as a title that has not been theatrically released prior to distribution. Defined as a title that has not been theatrically released prior to distribution. Defined as a title that has not been theatrically released prior to distribution.
Recertified at subsequent 100,000 units (or physical sales).
MULTI-BOX MUSIC VIDEO SET
Package must include three or more videos marketed as a set.
Quantity
Package must include three or more video marketed as a set.
50,000 units 100,000 units 200,000 units
Requirements Each individual video within set is counted as one toward certification. Each individual video within set is counted as one toward certification. Each individual video within set is counted as one toward certification.
Recertified at each subsequent 100,000 units.
MASTER RINGTONE AWARD
Quantity Recognizes the sale of more than 500,000 (and counting) ringtones