This lists songs that hit number one on the charts in the US during 1981. If a song spent nonconsecutive weeks at number one, the number of weeks for each occurrence at the top is shown in parenthesis.
| Date | Artist - Title | Weeks at #1 |
| December 21 1980 – January 24 1981 | John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over | 5 |
| January 25 – 31 1981 | Blondie - The Tide Is High | 1 |
| February 1 – 14 1981 | Kool and the Gang - Celebration | 2 |
| February 15 – 21 1981 | Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 | 2 (1) |
| February 22 – March 7 1981 | Eddie Rabbitt - I Love a Rainy Night | 2 |
| March 8 – 14 1981 | Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 | 2 (1) |
| March 15 – 21 1981 | REO Speedwagon - Keep on Loving You | 1 |
| March 22 – April 4 1981 | Blondie - Rapture | 2 |
| April 5 – 25 1981 | Hall and Oates - Kiss on My List | 3 |
| April 26 – May 9 1981 | Sheena Easton - Morning Train (Nine to Five) | 2 |
| May 10 – June 13 1981 | Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes | 9 (5) |
| June 14 – 20 1981 | Stars On 45 - Stars On 45 Medley | 1 |
| June 21 – July 18 1981 | Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes | 9 (4) |
| July 19 – 25 1981 | Air Supply - The One That You Love | 1 |
| July 26 – August 8 1981 | Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl | 2 |
| August 9 – October 10 1981 | Diana Ross and Lionel Richie - Endless Love | 9 |
| October 11 – 31 1981 | Christopher Cross - Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) | 3 |
| November 1 – 14 1981 | Hall and Oates - Private Eyes | 2 |
| November 15 1981 – January 23 1982 | Olivia Newton-John - Physical | 10 |
17 different songs hit number one in the US during 1981.
Top 5 Songs of 1981
1: Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes
2: Diana Ross and Lionel Richie - Endless Love
3: Kenny Rogers - Lady
4: John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over
5: Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl
2: Diana Ross and Lionel Richie - Endless Love
3: Kenny Rogers - Lady
4: John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over
5: Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl