Equivalent FAQs

How did you arrive at these ratios? 

Our equivalent formulas and contributing data are maintained by Luminate in close collaboration with Billboard. 

The current ratios reflect music consumption patterns and audience behaviors in today’s market. Some charts apply different weighting formulas to more accurately depict consumption in other countries or for different genres and formats. We work with Billboard to adjust ratios and formulas as needed.

When were the ratios last updated?

The above Album and Song Equivalent ratios were updated and took effect Week 1 of 2026. Prior to W1 2026, the historic Album and Song Equivalent ratios applied.

Stream Equivalents did not change. 

How do equivalents factor into the Billboard charts? 

Luminate provides the raw data and the weighted equivalent figures used to create Billboard chart rankings. Final published Billboard charts are subject to Billboard’s eligibility rules.

Some charts are based on pure consumption figures; others use equivalents to determine chart placement. For example, Airplay charts are ranked by either Spins or Audience, while the Billboard 200 chart is ranked by Album Equivalent units. 

Do all charts use these ratios? 

No. The Album Equivalent formula shown above is used for certain Billboard album charts and as a KPI on U.S. and Canada Dashboards. Some album charts use different weights and ratios or have different exclusion rules. 

The Stream Equivalent formula shown above is for Worldwide only. We adjust Stream Equivalent weights and ratios in different countries to reflect local consumption patterns. 

What’s the difference between Album Equivalents and Stream Equivalents?

Album Equivalent units represent all activity "converted" to physical album sales. An Album Equivalent figure is a count of product sales (actual) plus digital song sales (weighted) and streams (weighted). We use Album Equivalents as a performance metric in the U.S. and Canada. 

Stream Equivalent units represent all streaming and digital download activity "converted" to premium streams. We arrive at Stream Equivalent figures by applying different coefficients to premium streams, ad-supported streams and song sales, then adding them up. We use Stream Equivalents for global charts, as a worldwide metric and at the country level outside the U.S. and Canada. 

Why do Song Dashboards show Album Equivalents?

"Album Equivalent" is a standardized unit of measurement. The Album Equivalent ratio converts different activities into one metric that can be used for chart rankings. This ratio can be applied to everything in CONNECT: albums, songs, products, recordings and artists. 

On a Song or Recording Dashboard, the Album Equivalent figure indicates roughly how much of that song's activity translates to Album Equivalent units for charting purposes. 

On an Artist Dashboard, the Album Equivalent figure is an aggregate of converted activity for that artist's discography.

Why don’t I see Album Equivalents? / Why do I only see Stream Equivalents?

Album Equivalents include Product Sales data, which we only track in the U.S. and Canada. Therefore, Album Equivalents can only be calculated for the U.S. and Canada. 

The Worldwide view and all other countries only show Stream Equivalents. 

Why aren’t Equivalents shown in Activity by Location?

See above. Album Equivalent ratios are only available in the U.S. and Canada; we don’t include them in country tables.

In addition, Stream Equivalent ratios differ from country to country, and the worldwide Stream Equivalent does not apply to every country. To compare Stream Equivalents between countries, change Locations and look at each country’s Stream Equivalent KPI individually. 

What are Song Equivalents? / When do you use Song Equivalents? 

Song Equivalents are a completely different metric from Album or Stream Equivalents. They help us equate streams, radio play and song sales to single sales. Singles were once commonly distributed in physical form (ex. 7-inch vinyl 45s, mini CDs). We now use Song Equivalent formulas to calculate certain popular song charts that were once based on single sales.

Song Equivalents are not currently available in the CONNECT UI. All Song Dashboards display either Album or Stream Equivalents. 

Is the legacy SES metric the same as a Song Equivalent? 

No. See above. Song Equivalents are a different metric; they incorporate Airplay data and use different weights and ratios. 

The legacy Music Connect “SES” (Stream Equivalent Song) figure used the same ratios as an Album Equivalent. 

How do I convert the song-level Album Equivalent ratio to an SES?

On a Song Dashboard, multiply the Album Equivalent by 10 to estimate the legacy SES figure. 

Why doesn’t the Dashboard Album Equivalent match the figure on a Billboard chart?

There are a few reasons the Dashboard KPI Album Equivalent might not match the figure ranked on a chart. For instance:

1. Your Dashboard Data Controls may be filtering out some activity, which could affect the Equivalent KPI.
2. Billboard groups songs differently and may exclude certain ISRCs from chart eligibility. 
3. Other Billboard eligibility rules may exclude some equivalent activity from any given chart.
4. Charts are “locked” after publication, while Dashboards are dynamic and may incorporate some consumption that was reported and/or restated after the chart week ended. 

See Data Discrepancies for more details and troubleshooting tips. 

Can I use equivalents for RIAA certification? 

The RIAA uses its own certification criteria, reporting process and weighting system for album and single units. Luminate does not directly report figures to the RIAA. Please refer to RIAA guidelines for gold and platinum certification.