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CD Sales Statistics: Vinyl Now Outsells CDs in the US

US CD sales have collapsed about 95 percent since their 2000 peak, and vinyl has now outsold CDs three years running. Yet one country still buys CDs by the million. Here are the key numbers behind the music CD in 2024.

Lena BrandtLena Brandt Published: 28.05.2026 Last updated: 03.07.2026
Executive summary Research reviewed

Key takeaways

  • US CD revenue was about $541 million in 2024, up just 0.7 percent.
  • Roughly 32.9 million CDs shipped in the US in 2024, a 1.5 percent rise.
  • CDs now account for only about 2 percent of total US music revenue.
  • Vinyl outsold CDs in the US for the third year in a row.
  • US vinyl revenue hit $1.4 billion in 2024, the highest since 1984.
  • Total US recorded music revenue reached $17.7 billion in 2024.
  • Streaming was 84 percent of US music revenue in 2024.
  • Paid US streaming subscriptions crossed 100 million for the first time.
  • Global CD revenue fell 6.1 percent year over year in 2024.
  • Global physical music revenue slipped 3.1 percent to about $4.8 billion.
  • Total global recorded music revenue reached $29.6 billion in 2024.
  • Global vinyl revenue rose 4.6 percent, its 18th straight year of growth.
  • At the 2000 peak, US CD revenue hit roughly $13.2 billion.
  • About 942 million CDs shipped in the US in 2000, the all-time high.
  • CD shipments are now down roughly 95 percent from their 2000 peak.
  • US CD revenue dropped another 22.3 percent in the first half of 2025.
  • In Japan, physical formats still drive about 65 percent of music revenue.
  • Japanese physical audio sales rose 2 percent to about $985 million in 2024.
  • Japan CD-only sales fell 25.4 percent in 2024, a sharp acceleration.
  • The first commercial CD shipped in October 1982 in Japan.

The US: CDs Keep Sliding

1. US CD revenue: about $541 million in 2024

The RIAA reports US CD revenue at $541.1 million for 2024, up a slim 0.7 percent on the year and a fraction of the format's former scale.1

2. Roughly 32.9 million CDs shipped

Unit shipments rose 1.5 percent year over year to 32.9 million discs in 2024, a rare uptick in a long-running decline.2

3. Only about 2 percent of total music revenue

CDs now account for roughly 2 percent of all US recorded music revenue, down from a 43 percent share at the format's 2012 peak.3

4. Vinyl outsold CDs for the third year running

US labels shipped 44 million vinyl records against 33 million CDs in 2024, with vinyl pulling ahead for a third straight year.4

5. Vinyl revenue: $1.4 billion, highest since 1984

Vinyl posted $1.4 billion in US revenue in 2024, its 18th consecutive year of growth and roughly 2.6 times CD revenue.5

6. Total US music revenue: $17.7 billion

Total US recorded music revenue rose 3 percent to $17.7 billion at estimated retail value, a new all-time high.6

7. Streaming is 84 percent of US revenue

Streaming generated 84 percent of US recorded music revenue in 2024, led by Spotify, with paid subscriptions alone hitting $11.7 billion.7

8. 100 million paid US subscribers

Paid music subscriptions in the US passed the 100 million mark for the first time in 2024, up from 97 million the year before.8

Worldwide: Streaming Pushes CDs Aside

9. Global CD revenue down 6.1 percent

Worldwide CD revenue fell 6.1 percent year over year in 2024, with the steepest declines in North America and Europe.9

10. Global physical revenue: about $4.8 billion

The worldwide physical music business shrank 3.1 percent to roughly $4.8 billion in 2024, with vinyl growth softening the blow.10

11. Global recorded music: $29.6 billion

Total global recorded music revenue grew 4.8 percent to $29.6 billion in 2024, the tenth straight year of expansion.11

12. Global vinyl up 4.6 percent

Vinyl was the only physical format with global growth in 2024, up 4.6 percent and now in its 18th consecutive year of gains.12

The Crash Since the Year 2000

13. 2000 peak: about $13.2 billion in US CD sales

At the format's commercial high in 2000, CDs alone generated roughly $13.2 billion in US sales, before piracy and streaming reshaped the market.13

14. Nearly 942 million CDs shipped in 2000

Around 942 million CDs shipped in the US in 2000, the all-time annual peak for the format.14

15. Shipments down roughly 95 percent

With about 33 million CDs shipped in 2024, US CD volumes are down roughly 95 percent from their 2000 peak.15

16. First half of 2025: another 22.3 percent drop

US CD revenue fell 22.3 percent in the first half of 2025 to $108.1 million on 11.7 million units, signaling the format's brief 2024 uptick was a blip.16

Japan: The Great Exception

17. Physical formats still drive 65 percent of revenue

In Japan, the world's second-largest recorded music market, physical formats still generate about 65 percent of revenue, with streaming at only 35 percent.17

18. Physical audio sales: about $985 million

Japanese physical audio sales actually rose 2 percent to 148.96 billion yen, around $985 million, in 2024.18

19. Japan CD sales fell 25.4 percent

Stand-alone CD sales in Japan dropped 25.4 percent in 2024, suggesting even the world's last great CD market is starting to turn.19

20. First commercial CD shipped in October 1982

The CD launched commercially in Japan on 1 October 1982, kicking off a four-decade arc from cutting-edge format to streaming era footnote.20

Frequently asked questions

Do CDs still sell in the US?

Barely, compared with their peak. US CD revenue was about 541 million dollars in 2024, up just 0.7 percent, with roughly 32.9 million CDs shipped. CDs now account for only about 2 percent of total US music revenue, down from a 43 percent share at the 2012 peak.

Does vinyl outsell CDs in the US?

Yes. Vinyl has outsold CDs in the US for three years running. In 2024 labels shipped 44 million vinyl records against 33 million CDs, and vinyl revenue hit 1.4 billion dollars, roughly 2.6 times CD revenue and the highest since 1984.

How far have US CD sales fallen since their peak?

CD shipments are down roughly 95 percent from their 2000 peak. At that high, CDs generated about 13.2 billion dollars in US sales on nearly 942 million discs shipped. In 2024 only about 33 million CDs shipped.

Which country still buys the most CDs?

Japan, the world's second-largest recorded music market. Physical formats still generate about 65 percent of Japanese music revenue, and physical audio sales rose 2 percent to about 985 million dollars in 2024, though stand-alone CD sales fell 25.4 percent.

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Sources

  1. RIAA (riaa.com)
  2. Billboard (billboard.com)
  3. MusicRow (musicrow.com)
  4. Deadline (deadline.com)
  5. Variety (variety.com)
  6. Digital Music News (digitalmusicnews.com)
  7. Engadget (engadget.com)
  8. The Hollywood Reporter (hollywoodreporter.com)
  9. Music Ally (musically.com)
  10. Music Business Worldwide (musicbusinessworldwide.com)
  11. IFPI (ifpi.org)
  12. Music Week (musicweek.com)
  13. Statista (statista.com)
  14. GRAMMY.com (grammy.com)
  15. Billboard (billboard.com)
  16. Complete Music Update (completemusicupdate.com)
  17. Soundcharts (soundcharts.com)
  18. RIAJ (riaj.or.jp)
  19. Billboard (billboard.com)
  20. Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)