List of Billboard number-one singles of the 1940s
This article is about the US number-one songs chart held during the 1940s.
Billboard number-one singles chart, which was updated weekly by the Billboard magazine, was the main singles chart of the American music industry since 1940 and until the Billboard Hot 100 chart was established in 1958.
Before the Billboard Hot 100 chart was established in August 1958, which was based on a formula combining sales data of commercially available singles and airplay on American radio stations, the Billboard used to publish several song popularity charts weekly. Throughout most of the 1940s the magazine published the following three charts:
- Best Selling Singles – ranked the biggest selling singles in retail stores, as reported by merchants surveyed throughout the country.
- Most Played Juke Box Records – ranked the most played songs in jukeboxes across the United States.
- Most Played by Jockeys – ranked the most played songs on United States radio stations, as reported by radio disc jockeys and radio stations.
Number ones
;Keyhad the highest number of hits at the top of the Billboard number-one singles chart during the 1940s. In addition, Crosby remained the longest at the top of the Billboard number-one singles chart during the 1940s.
remained at the top of the Billboard number-one singles chart for 32 weeks.
remained at the top of the Billboard number-one singles chart for 31 weeks.
Statistics by decade
By artist
The following artists achieved three or more number-one hits from 1940–1949. A number of artists had number-one singles on their own as well as part of a collaboration.| Artist | Number-one hits |
| Bing Crosby | 9 |
| Jimmy Dorsey | 7 |
| Glenn Miller | 7 |
| Harry James | 5 |
| Perry Como | 5 |
| Sammy Kaye | 4 |
| Freddy Martin | 4 |
| Vaughn Monroe | 3 |
| Tommy Dorsey | 3 |
| Ink Spots | 3 |
Artists by total number of weeks at number-one
The following artists were featured in top of the chart for the highest total number of weeks during 1940–1949.| Artist | Weeks at number-one |
| Bing Crosby | 55 |
| Jimmy Dorsey | 32 |
| Glenn Miller | 31 |
| Harry James and Vaughn Monroe | 26 |
| Perry Como | 21 |
| Tommy Dorsey | 20 |
| Sammy Kaye | 19 |
| Mills Brothers | 17 |
Songs by total number of weeks at number-one
The following songs were featured in top of the chart for the highest total number of weeks during 1940–1949.| Weeks at number one | Song | Artist |
| 13 | "Frenesi" | Artie Shaw |
| 13 | "I've Heard That Song Before" | Harry James |
| 12 | "Heartaches" | Ted Weems |
| 12 | "Near You" | Francis Craig |
| 12 | "Paper Doll" | Mills Brothers |
| 12 | "I'll Never Smile Again" | Tommy Dorsey |
| 11 | "" | Vaughn Monroe |
| 11 | "White Christmas" | Bing Crosby |
| 10 | "Amapola" | Jimmy Dorsey |
| 10 | "Moonlight Cocktail" | Glenn Miller |
| 10 | "The Gypsy" | The Ink Spots |
| 10 | "Ballerina" | Vaughn Monroe |