The Billboard Hot 100 is a chart that ranks the best-performing singles of the United States. Published by Billboard magazine, the data are compiled by Nielsen SoundScan based collectively on each single's weekly physical sales and airplays. The year started out with "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men and ended with "Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton. The longest running number-one single of 1996 is "Macarena" (Bayside Boys Mix), which stayed at the top for 14 weeks.
| Issue Date | Song | Artist(s) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 6 | "One Sweet Day" | Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men | [1] |
| January 13 | [2] | ||
| January 20 | [3] | ||
| January 27 | |||
| February 3 | |||
| February 10 | |||
| February 17 | |||
| February 24 | |||
| March 2 | |||
| March 9 | |||
| March 16 | |||
| March 23 | "Because You Loved Me" | Céline Dion | |
| March 30 | |||
| April 6 | |||
| April 13 | |||
| April 20 | |||
| April 27 | |||
| May 4 | "Always Be My Baby" | Mariah Carey | |
| May 11 | |||
| May 18 | "Tha Crossroads" | Bone Thugs-N-Harmony | |
| May 25 | |||
| June 1 | |||
| June 8 | |||
| June 15 | |||
| June 22 | |||
| June 29 | |||
| July 6 | |||
| July 13 | "How Do U Want It" / "California Love" | 2Pac featuring K-Ci and JoJo / featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman | |
| July 20 | |||
| July 27 | "You're Makin' Me High" / "Let It Flow" | Toni Braxton | |
| August 3 | "Macarena" (Bayside Boys Mix) | Los Del Rio | |
| August 10 | |||
| August 17 | |||
| August 24 | |||
| August 31 | |||
| September 7 | |||
| September 14 | |||
| September 21 | |||
| September 28 | |||
| October 5 | |||
| October 12 | |||
| October 19 | |||
| October 26 | |||
| November 2 | |||
| November 9 | "No Diggity" | BLACKstreet featuring Dr. Dre | |
| November 16 | |||
| November 23 | |||
| November 30 | |||
| December 7 | "Un-Break My Heart" | Toni Braxton | |
| December 14 | |||
| December 21 | |||
| December 28 |
|
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