How Many Master Sommeliers Are There? (2026 Counts)

About 300 people worldwide. As checked on October 21, 2026, the Court of Master Sommeliers Europe lists 305 candidates who have passed, while the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas reports 299 title holders worldwide. These official pages do not currently agree, so cite the source and date when using an exact number.

Search the complete 305-name historical list by name or passing year.

How many Master Sommeliers are there in the world?

Official source	Published count	What the page counts
Court of Master Sommeliers Europe members	305	Candidates who have passed; the directory includes entries from around the world.
CMS Americas: About Master Sommeliers	299	Professionals holding the title worldwide.
CMS Americas: chapter figure	176	People who earned the title through the Americas chapter.

Source pages checked October 21, 2026. These are published snapshots, not a live census.

The Europe page is not a count of people living in Europe. Likewise, the Americas figure is part of the worldwide population: do not add 176 to either global total.

How many Master Sommeliers are there in the United States?

The Americas chapter reports 176 people who earned the title through that chapter; this is not a verified U.S.-resident total. Chapter affiliation, citizenship, and current residence answer different questions. The cited page does not provide a separate current count of people living in the United States.

For individual names, consult the official CMS Americas directory. Our list of Master Sommeliers guide explains how to verify a credential and interpret directory entries.

Why do sources show different numbers?

The two official pages use different wording: candidates who passed versus people holding the title. Neither cited page explains the six-person difference. Update timing or differences in inclusion could account for it, but that is an interpretation, not a confirmed explanation from the Court.

When comparing an older article with a current directory, check:

Date: Does the figure include subsequent exam results?
Population: Is it worldwide, one chapter, or one country?
Definition: Does it count historical exam passes, current title holders, or directory members?

Avoid describing a historical pass count as the number of living, active, or currently practicing Master Sommeliers unless the source explicitly supports that definition.

Does this include all certified sommeliers?

No. Master Sommelier is the Diploma credential at the top of the CMS path. Introductory, Certified, and Advanced candidates are not included in the Master Sommelier count merely because they completed those earlier levels. See the four sommelier certification levels.

Master of Wine is a separate credential. Its holders should not be added to this total; compare Master of Wine vs Master Sommelier if you are deciding between study paths.

Why are there so few Master Sommeliers?

The Diploma requires candidates to demonstrate theory, tasting, and hospitality and service skills after progressing through the earlier certification levels. Read the Master Sommelier exam guide for the assessment structure.

A population count is not an exam pass rate or a prediction of your chances. If you are considering the qualification, start with how long the Master Sommelier path takes and build a study plan around your next certification level.

Sources and method

We checked the linked Europe and Americas pages on October 21, 2026 and recorded their published wording and totals separately. We do not combine chapter and global figures or interpret historical passes as current standing. This independent guide is not affiliated with either Court.

For a person-specific historical example, see Fred Dame.