To begin with, this page features 10 of the best-selling books of all time, ranked by the estimated number of copies sold. While the exact figures may vary depending on the source, I’ve compiled the most widely reported data to give you a general sense of which stories have truly stood the test of time. For easy reference, you can find the sales data included on this page.
Importantly, this list focuses specifically on novels and literary works. As a result, it excludes religious texts such as the Bible and the Quran, as well as political works like Quotations from Chairman Mao. Although these titles are incredibly influential and widely read, they’re often distributed through non-commercial or government-backed channels, which makes it difficult to track verified sales figures. Therefore, I’ve chosen to leave them out so we can focus instead on other remarkable books—stories that have quietly found their way onto nightstands, into classrooms, and into hearts around the world.
Please keep in mind that all sales numbers are still estimations, based on the most widely reported data available. (Last updated: August 2025.)
Top 10 best-selling books of all time
With that in mind, here are the highest-selling books of all time. I’ll continue to update this section from time to time to ensure the information stays current.
1. Don Quixote
by Miguel de Cervantes
Sales: ~500 million copies sold
The story of an aging man who, inspired by chivalric tales, sets out on a series of misguided adventures, believing himself to be a knight-errant while accompanied by his loyal squire, Sancho panza.
Book | E-book | Audiobook
2. A Tale of Two cities
by Charles Dickens
Sales: ~200 million copies sold
Charles Dickens’ novel is the second best selling book of all time. The book follows the story of Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat who renounces his family’s title, and Sydney Carton, a disillusioned English lawyer, as their lives become entangled during the French Revolution, ultimately leading to Carton’s selfless sacrifice to save Darnay from the guillotine.
Book | E-book | Audiobook
3. The Little Prince
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Sales: ~200 million copies sold
This is a young prince’s journey through different worlds teaches an aviator—and readers—that the most important things in life are often invisible, understood only with the heart, not the eyes.
Book | E-book | Audiobook
4. The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
Sales: ~150 million copies sold
A young shepherd named Santiago embarks on a journey across the desert to discover his personal legend, learning that the true treasure lies in following his dreams and listening to his heart.
Book | E-book | Audiobook
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
by J.K. Rowling
Sales: ~120 million copies sold
An orphaned boy named Harry discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard, and as he enters the magical world of Hogwarts, he uncovers secrets about his past and faces challenges that lead him to protect a powerful magical stone from falling into the wrong hands.
Book | E-book | Audiobook
6. And Then There Were None (~100 million copies sold)
by Agatha Christie
Ten strangers are invited to a remote island, where they are systematically accused of past crimes and then mysteriously murdered, leading to a tense and chilling game of survival as they try to figure out who the killer is before it’s too late.
Book | E-book | Audiobook
7. Dream of the Red Chamber (~100 million copies sold)
by Cao Xueqin
This story follows the rise and fall of the Jia family, focusing on the complicated relationships and emotional struggles of its young heir, Jia Baoyu, as he navigates love, duty, and the inevitable decline of his once-prosperous household.
Book | E-book | Audiobook
8. The Hobbit (~100 million copies sold)
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins, an unassuming hobbit, is swept into an adventure with a group of dwarves and the wizard Gandalf to reclaim a stolen treasure from the fearsome dragon Smaug, discovering along the way courage and resourcefulness he never knew he had.
Book | E-book | Audiobook
9. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (~100 million copies sold)
by Lewis Carroll
A curious girl named Alice tumbles down a rabbit hole into a strange, nonsensical world, where she encounters eccentric characters and experiences a series of bewildering adventures that challenge her understanding of reality.
Book | E-book | Audiobook
10. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (~85 million copies sold)
by C.S. Lewis
Four siblings step through a wardrobe into the magical land of Narnia, where they join forces with Aslan the lion to fight the White Witch and free the land from her eternal winter.
Book | E-book | Audiobook
Browse the full list of best-selling books of all time via Wikipedia.
My final thoughts on these best-selling books of all time
Lastly, while these are the best-selling books of all time and some of the most popular titles in the world right now, it’s important to note that beyond the number of copies sold, what matters more to me is how deeply these stories have resonated with people across the globe.
For instance, an entire generation grew up alongside the Harry Potter series, myself included, which has not only shaped our imaginations but also left a lasting mark on our culture. Personally, I can still vividly remember being read Alice in Wonderland just before bed. It’s truly remarkable how these top-selling books have touched the lives of millions, influenced culture, and sparked meaningful conversations.
As I mentioned earlier, my personal book recommendations didn’t make it onto this bestselling list. However, if you’re curious to discover which books have moved me the most, feel free to explore my bookshelf and check out my favorite books.
My favorite books
Here are the best books to read, based on my personal taste—excluding the best-selling books of all time and the most sold books of 2024. Browse them all.
The best books by subcategory:
The best books by theme:
Or, browse all book recommendations.
Books, Tiny Bits,
and Big Ideas.
My Bookshelf
A full list of the books I’ve recommended.
Reading Lists
Create your shop in a few minutes.
