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 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.
In 1989, the thresholds were changed so that a single with sales or shipments of 600,000 became eligible for Platinum. The only song to be certified Platinum during both periods is "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, 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.
Awards from 1973–1988 (1 million units)
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.| Artist | Song | Date released | Date certified Platinum | Date certified 2× Platinum |
| Wings | "Mull of Kintyre" |
Platinum (1973–1988)
| Artist | Song | Date released | Date certified Platinum |
| Simon Park Orchestra | "Eye Level" | ||
| Gary Glitter | "I Love You Love Me Love" | ||
| Slade | "Merry Xmas Everybody" | ||
| John Lennon | "Imagine" | ||
| Queen | "Bohemian Rhapsody" | ||
| Brotherhood of Man | "Save Your Kisses for Me" | ||
| David Soul | "Don't Give Up on Us" | ||
| Boney M. | "Rivers of Babylon" / "Brown Girl in the Ring" | ||
| Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta | "You're the One That I Want" | ||
| Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta | "Summer Nights" | ||
| Village People | "Y.M.C.A." | ||
| Boney M | "Mary's Boy Child – Oh My Lord" | ||
| Art Garfunkel | "Bright Eyes" | ||
| Blondie | "Heart of Glass" | ||
| Pink Floyd | "Brick in the Wall " | ||
| Human League | "Don't You Want Me" | ||
| Dexys Midnight Runners | "Come On Eileen" | ||
| Culture Club | "Karma Chameleon" | ||
| Frankie Goes to Hollywood | "Relax" | ||
| Frankie Goes to Hollywood | "Two Tribes" | ||
| George Michael | "Careless Whisper" | ||
| Stevie Wonder | "I Just Called to Say I Love You" | ||
| Band Aid | "Do They Know It's Christmas?" | ||
| Wham! | "Last Christmas" | ||
| Jennifer Rush | "The Power of Love" |
Awards from 1989–1999 (600,000 units)
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 1997.9× Platinum
2× Platinum
Awarded triple platinum after 2000Also awarded double platinum in 2013