Print book unit sales in the U.S. 2004-2024

Data showing how many books were sold in 2024 revealed that the printed book market remains healthy: a total of 782.7 million units were sold that year among outlets which reported to the source. Whilst this marked a small jump from the previous year, the figure peaked in 2021 and has not surpassed 800 million since. Trade paperbacks remained the dominant format. 

Book sales statistics

Looking at book sales by year, 2005 to 2010 were the most lucrative for the printed book market, with well over 700 million units sold annually during that five-year period. After dropping below 600 million in 2012, gradual and consistent increases can be seen each year, with the exception of between the years 2018 and 2019. For bookstores though, how many books are sold each year depends on the success of key months across a twelve-month period.

Bookstore sales in the United States are at their highest in December, January, and August, but figures for December are consistently higher than other months. Books are popular holiday gifts, with around 30 to 40 percent of consumers responding to annual surveys in each year from 2012 to 2020 saying that they planned to purchase books as presents during the festive season.