9 Female Singers with the most No.1 Songs in the US
When it comes to dominating the charts, these powerhouse women have made history by stacking up No.1 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In this article, we’re diving into the top 10 female singers who’ve scored the most chart-toppers in the United States. From holiday classics to pop anthems, these ladies have delivered songs that defined generations and broke records while doing it.
Let’s break down the all-time chart Queens!
9 Female Singers with the most US chart-toppers
*Note: The list includes entries up to April 2025
1) Mariah Carey – 19
Biggest Hot 100 single: “All I Want for Christmas Is You”
The undisputed Queen of Christmas – Mariah Carey reigns supreme with an incredible 19 No.1 hits – more than any other female artist in Billboard history. While her holiday smash “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has become an annual chart-topper, her chart-topping streak started way back in the early ’90s.
All No. 1 Hits:
“Vision of Love,” “Love Takes Time,” “Someday,” “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” “Emotions,” “I’ll Be There,” “Dreamlover,” “Hero,” “Fantasy,” “One Sweet Day,” “Always Be My Baby,” “Honey,” “My All,” “Heartbreaker,” “Thank God I Found You,” “We Belong Together,” “Don’t Forget About Us,” “Touch My Body,” “All I Want for Christmas Is You”.
2) Rihanna – 14
Biggest Hot 100 single: “We Found Love”
Rihanna has built a pop empire with 14 No.1 singles, thanks to her infectious hooks and genre-hopping versatility. Her biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, “We Found Love” (featuring Calvin Harris), ruled the charts for 10 weeks and became a dancefloor staple.
All No. 1 Hits:
“SOS,” “Umbrella,” “Take a Bow,” “Disturbia,” “Rude Boy,” “Only Girl (In the World),” “What’s My Name?,” “We Found Love,” “Diamonds,” “The Monster,” “Work,” “Needed Me,” “Love on the Brain,” “Stay”.
3) Madonna – 12
Biggest Hot 100 single: “Like a Virgin”
The Queen of Pop, Madonna, revolutionized music and fashion while racking up 12 No. 1 hits with her bold persona and trend-setting sound. Her most iconic chart-topper? “Like a Virgin”, a defining moment in 1980s pop culture.
All No. 1 Hits:
“Like a Virgin,” “Crazy for You,” “Live to Tell,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” “Open Your Heart,” “Who’s That Girl,” “Like a Prayer,” “Vogue,” “Justify My Love,” “This Used to Be My Playground,” “Take a Bow,” “Music”.
4) Taylor Swift – 12
Biggest Hot 100 single: “Shake It Off”
Taylor Swift seamlessly transitioned from country sweetheart to pop megastar, earning 12 No. 1 hits along the way. Her massive feel-good anthem “Shake It Off” signaled her full transformation into pop royalty.
All No. 1 Hits:
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” “Bad Blood,” “Look What You Made Me Do,” “Cardigan,” “Willow,” “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version),” “Anti-Hero,” “Cruel Summer,” “Is It Over Now?,” “Fortnight”.
5) Whitney Houston – 11
Biggest Hot 100 single: “I Will Always Love You”
With a voice that could move mountains, Whitney Houston scored 11 No. 1 songs, proving just how powerful her presence was. Her most iconic song, “I Will Always Love You”, spent a record-breaking 14 weeks at No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
All No. 1 Hits:
“Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love of All,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “So Emotional,” “Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” “All the Man That I Need,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)”.
6) Janet Jackson – 10
Biggest Hot 100 single: “Miss You Much”
The Rhythm Queen – Janet Jackson carved out her own lane with 10 No.1 singles, combining pop, R&B, dance, and socially conscious lyrics into chart-topping magic. “Miss You Much” was one of her biggest hits, helping her solidify her status among pop royalty in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
All No. 1 Hits:
“When I Think of You,” “Miss You Much,” “Escapade,” “Black Cat,” “Love Will Never Do (Without You),” “That’s the Way Love Goes,” “Again,” “Together Again,” “Doesn’t Really Matter,” “All for You”.
7) Katy Perry – 9
Biggest Hot 100 single: “Dark Horse” (featuring Juicy J)
Katy Perry dominated the 2010s, racking up 9 No.1 songs in the United States with her catchy melodies and candy-colored visuals. The infectious pop anthem “Dark Horse” (featuring Juicy J) was one of her most successful cross-genre hits.
She even tied Michael Jackson for most No.1s (5) from a single album!
All No. 1 Hits:
“California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “Firework,” “E.T.,” “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.),” “Part of Me,” “Roar,” “Dark Horse,” “Never Really Over”.
8) Beyoncé – 9
Biggest Hot 100 single: “Irreplaceable”
Queen Bey has scored 9 No.1 singles in the US as a solo artist, proving she’s just as dominant post-Destiny’s Child. Her biggest hit, “Irreplaceable”, showcased her R&B flair with that unforgettable “to the left, to the left” hook.
All No. 1 Hits:
“Crazy in Love,” “Baby Boy,” “Check On It,” “Irreplaceable,” “Single Ladies,” “Break My Soul,” “Perfect Duet,” “Savage Remix,” “Cuff It”.
9) Ariana Grande – 9
Biggest Hot 100 single: “7 Rings”
Ariana Grande joined the ranks of pop chart royalty with 9 No.1 songs in the United States powered by her incredible vocal range and a loyal fanbase. Her biggest hit, “7 Rings,” is an all-time trap-pop anthem.
All No. 1 Hits:
“Problem,” “Bang Bang,” “Thank U, Next,” “7 Rings,” “Stuck with U,” “Rain on Me,” “Positions,” “Save Your Tears (Remix),” “Die for You (Remix)”.
Honorable Mentions
Diana Ross – 6
Biggest Hot 100 single: “Endless Love” (with Lionel Richie)
Diana Ross has six solo No.1s (and more with The Supremes), with “Endless Love” being one of her most beloved duets.
All Solo No. 1 Hits:
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Touch Me in the Morning”, “Theme from Mahogany”, “Love Hangover”, “Upside Down”, and “Endless Love” (with Lionel Richie).
Paula Abdul – 6
Biggest Hot 100 single: “Rush Rush”
Paula Abdul had an incredible run in the late 1980s and early 1990s with six No.1 hits. Her soft ballad “Rush Rush” was a chart-topping departure from her usual dance anthems.
All No. 1 Hits:
“Straight Up”, “Forever Your Girl”, “Cold Hearted”, “Opposites Attract”, and “The Promise of a New Day”.
Lady Gaga – 6
Biggest Hot 100 single: “Just Dance” (ft. Colby O’Donis)
Lady Gaga burst onto the scene with “Just Dance”, which kicked off her run of six number one singles in the US as of this writing.
All No. 1 Hits:
“Poker Face”, “Born This Way”, “Shallow” (with Bradley Cooper), “Rain on Me” (with Ariana Grande), and “Stupid Love”.
Final Thoughts
From Mariah’s record-breaking reign to Taylor Swift and Rihanna’s genre-bending hits, these women have shaped music history the sound of modern pop music and ruled the Billboard Hot 100 chart while doing it.
Each No.1 song tells a story, marking a moment in time and cementing their legacies. As streaming and internet trends change the music landscape, one thing’s for sure: the queens of the Hot 100 are here to stay