List of Platinum singles in the United Kingdom awarded before 2000

See also List of Platinum singles in the United Kingdom awarded since 2000, List of million-selling singles in the United Kingdom.

On 1 April 1973 the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) launched the Certified Awards scheme for singles and albums. From then until 1988, Platinum was awarded to singles with sales or shipments of 1 million (with double or triple Platinum being introduced in 1985).

In 1989, the thresholds were changed so that a single with sales or shipments of 600,000 became eligible for Platinum (and any multiples thereof). The only song to be certified Platinum during both periods is "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen (in its original release in 1975 and again in 1991 following the death of Freddie Mercury), while the Spice Girls had the most Platinum singles awarded before 2000 with eight. This total has been passed in the 21st century by Rihanna with 13.

2× Platinum (available 1985 onwards)
Only one single was ever awarded a multi-Platinum certification during the 1 million unit era, although "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid would also have qualified.

Multi-Platinum
Only one single was awarded a multiple above double: "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight" by Elton John which is certified as 9× Platinum for shipping over 5.4 million units, following the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.

2× Platinum
†Awarded triple platinum after 2000 Also awarded double platinum in 2013

Platinum awards
†Certified 2× Platinum since 2000