Which chart did Metallica’s 1991 album first top at number one in the United States?

Metallica’s 1991 album first topped the U.S. Billboard 200 at number one.

The achievement was a milestone for the band because Metallica became its first album to debut at the summit of the American albums chart. It sold 598,000 copies in its first week and remained at number one for four consecutive weeks.

The Billboard 200 ranks albums and extended plays in the United States using consumption data, including album sales and later digital and streaming activity. It is different from the Billboard Hot 100, which ranks individual songs. Confusing those two charts is a frequent source of incorrect answers about Metallica’s breakthrough.

The album also reached number one in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand. Its American success was especially influential because it helped move Metallica from major metal act to global mainstream headliner.