Billboard has released its latest ranking of the artists with the most No. 1 songs on the Hot 100, and the Beatles remain the undisputed champion with 20 top hits. The list, which covers songs through the chart dated Oct. 10, 2026, also recognizes a second group of acts who have reached double digits in the Hot 100 era.
Only 13 artists have scored 10 or more No. 1s in their career, according to Billboard’s count. That elite group comprises 11 solo acts and two groups. The Beatles have led all acts since 1965, when they surpassed Elvis Presley for the record.
The Beatles Lead With 20 No. 1 Hits
The Beatles hold the top spot with 20 No. 1s across their career. Their run began in February 1964 with “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” which spent seven weeks at No. 1. Other milestones include “She Loves You” (two weeks, March 1964), “Can’t Buy Me Love” (five weeks, April 1964), “Love Me Do” (one week, May 1964), “A Hard Day’s Night” (two weeks, Aug. 1964), “I Feel Fine” (three weeks, Dec. 1964), “Eight Days a Week” (two weeks, March 1965), “Ticket to Ride” (one week, May 1965), “Help!” (three weeks, Sept. 1965), “Yesterday” (four weeks, Oct. 1965), “We Can Work It Out” (three weeks, Jan. 1966), “Paperback Writer” (two weeks, June 1966), “Penny Lane” (one week, March 1967), “All You Need Is Love” (one week, Aug. 1967), “Hello Goodbye” (three weeks, Aug. 1967), “Hey Jude” (nine weeks, Sept. 1968), “Get Back” with Billy Preston (five weeks, May 1969), “Come Together”/”Something” (one week, Nov. 1969), “Let It Be” (two weeks, April 1970), “The Long and Winding Road”/”For You Blue” (two weeks, June 1970).
Mariah Carey and Rihanna Rank Among the Top
Mariah Carey follows with 19 No. 1s, one shy of the Beatles’ total. Her streak includes “Vision of Love” (four weeks, Aug. 1990), “Love Takes Time” (three weeks, Nov. 1990), “Someday” (two weeks, March 1991), “I Don’t Wanna Cry” (two weeks, May 1991), “Emotions” (three weeks, Oct. 1991), “I’ll Be There” (two weeks, June 1992), “Dreamlover” (eight weeks, Sept. 1993), “Hero” (four weeks, Dec. 1993), “Fantasy” (eight weeks, Sept. 1995), “One Sweet Day” with Boyz II Men (16 weeks, Dec. 1995), “Always Be My Baby” (two weeks, May 1996), “Honey” (three weeks, Sept. 1997), “My All” (one week, May 1998), “Heartbreaker” with JAY-Z (two weeks, Oct. 1999), “Thank God I Found You” with Joe and 98 Degrees (one week, Feb. 2000), “We Belong Together” (14 weeks, June 2005), “Don’t Forget About Us” (two weeks, Dec. 2005), “Touch My Body” (two weeks, April 2008), “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (22 weeks to date, Dec. 2019).
Rihanna ranks alongside Carey with 14 No. 1s. Her hits include “SOS” (three weeks, May 2006), “Umbrella” with JAY-Z (seven weeks, June 2007), “Take a Bow” (one week, May 2008), “Disturbia” (two weeks, Aug. 2008), “Live Your Life” (T.I. feat. Rihanna, six weeks, Oct. 2008), “Rude Boy” (five weeks, March 2010), “Love the Way You Lie” (Eminem feat. Rihanna, seven weeks, July 2010), “What’s My Name?” with Drake (one week, Nov. 2010), “Only Girl (In the World)” (one week, Dec. 2010), “S&M” with Britney Spears (one week, April 2011), “We Found Love” with Calvin Harris (10 weeks, Nov. 2011), “Diamonds” (three weeks, Dec. 2012), “The Monster” (Eminem feat. Rihanna, four weeks, Dec. 2013), “Work” with Drake (nine weeks, March 2016).
Taylor Swift, Drake and More
Taylor Swift rounds out the top tier with 16 No. 1s. Her run includes “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” (three weeks, Sept. 2012), “Shake It Off” (four weeks, Sept. 2014), “Blank Space” (seven weeks, Nov. 2014), “Bad Blood” with Kendrick Lamar (one week, June 2015), “Look What You Made Me Do” (three weeks, Sept. 2017), “Cardigan” (one week, Aug. 2020), “Willow” (one week, Dec. 2020), “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” (one week, Nov. 2021), “Anti-Hero” (eight weeks, Nov. 2022), “Cruel Summer” (four weeks, Oct. 2023), “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault]” (one week, Nov. 2023), “Fortnight” with Post Malone (two weeks, May 2024), “The Fate of Ophelia” (10 weeks, Oct. 2025), “Opalite” (one week, Feb. 2026), “I Knew It, I Knew You” (two weeks, June 2026), “Patient Zero” (one week to date, Oct. 2026).
Drake also reaches 14 No. 1s. His hits include “What’s My Name?” with Rihanna (one week, Nov. 2010), “Work” with Rihanna (nine weeks, March 2016), “One Dance” feat. Wizkid & Kyla (10 weeks, May 2016), “God’s Plan” (11 weeks, Feb. 2018), “Nice for What” (eight weeks, April 2018), “In My Feelings” (10 weeks, July 2018), “Toosie Slide” (one week, April 2020), “What’s Next” (one week, March 2021), “Way 2 Sexy” with Future & Young Thug (one week, Sept. 2021), “Wait for U” with Future, feat. Tems (one week, May 2022), “Jimmy Cooks” with 21 Savage (one week, July 2022), “Slime You Out” with SZA (one week, Sept. 2023), “First Person Shooter” with J. Cole (one week, Oct. 2023), “Janice STFU” (one week to date, May 2026).
Michael Jackson and Madonna Round Out the Elite
Michael Jackson lands at 13 No. 1s. His hits include “Ben” (one week, Oct. 1972), “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (one week, Oct. 1979), “Rock With You” (four weeks, Jan. 1980), “Billie Jean” (seven weeks, March 1983), “Beat It” (three weeks, April 1983), “Say Say Say” with Paul McCartney (six weeks, Dec. 1983), “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” with Siedah Garrett (one week, Sept. 1987), “Bad” (two weeks, Oct. 1987), “The Way You Make Me Feel” (one week, Jan. 1988), “Man in the Mirror” (two weeks, March 1988), “Dirty Diana” (one week, July 1988), “Black or White” (seven weeks, Dec. 1991), “You Are Not Alone” (one week, Sept. 1995).
Madonna closes the top tier with 12 No. 1s. Her hits include “Like a Virgin” (one week, Dec. 1980), “Material Girl” (one week, Sept. 1984), “Papa Don’t Preach” (one week, Aug. 1986), “Like a Prayer” (one week, Sept. 1989), “Vogue” (one week, Nov. 1990), “Rescue Me” (one week, Nov. 1990), “Frozen” (one week, Nov. 1991), “Take a Bow” (one week, Nov. 1992), “Nothing Compares 2 U” (one week, Nov. 1992), “Ray of Light” (one week, Nov. 1998), “Music” (one week, Sept. 2000), “Hung Up” (one week, Nov. 2005).
The Middle of the Pack
Beyoncé, Elton John, Katy Perry, Paul McCartney (solo and with Wings), and Usher each earned nine No. 1s. Justin Bieber, George Michael (excluding two billed solely to Wham!), and The Rolling Stones have eight apiece.
Presley’s Absence From the Double-Digit Club
Elvis Presley is notably absent from the 10-No. 1 club. He scored seven No. 1s in the Hot 100 era. Several of his signature smashes — including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock” — arrived before the Hot 100 existed, since his breakthrough predated the chart’s Aug. 4, 1958, launch. In the Hot 100 era, however, he ruled with “A Big Hunk O’ Love,” “Stuck on You,” “It’s Now or Never,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” “Surrender,” “Good Luck Charm” and “Suspicious Minds.”
A Look at the Numbers
- Total songs on the Hot 100: more than 32,000
- Songs reaching No. 1: 1,195 (less than 4%)
- Acts with 10+ No. 1s: 13 (11 solo, two groups)
- Beatles: 20 No. 1s
- Mariah Carey: 19 No. 1s
- Rihanna: 14 No. 1s
- Taylor Swift: 16 No. 1s
- Michael Jackson: 13 No. 1s
- Madonna: 12 No. 1s
The Beatles’ 20 No. 1s remain unmatched, and the chart’s history shows a clear gap between the top act and everyone below it. The list runs deep, and the artists who have reached double digits each hold their own record of staying power.
The full ranking, including the nine- and eight-time No. 1 artists, is available on Billboard’s website.
Source material: “Artists With the Most No. 1 Songs on the Hot 100, From The Beatles to Rihanna to Drake & More,” Billboard.
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