The Democrat candidate secured the votes he needed to confirm a move to the White House, replacing Donald Trump.
His supporters took to the streets to celebrate – and these images give a flavour of the scenes in Pennyslvania, where victory was confirmed, and across the US.
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.
If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.
5. How America celebrated ...
A woman holds a sign reading "The Nightmare is Over" as people celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington, DC (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: ALEX EDELMAN
6. How Pennsylvania celebrated putting Joe Biden into the White House
Michael Crowley and Gaby Poletaev embrace as supporters of president-elect Joe Biden celebrate his victory (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: ROBERTO SCHMIDT
7. How America celebrated
Supporters of President-elect Joe Biden wave signs and jumps up and down at the entrance to Trump National golf club in Sterling, Va (AP Photo/Steve Helber) Photo: Steve Helber
8. How America celebrated
People celebrate as a truck festooned with Biden Harris decorations drives through the Bywater section of New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Photo: Gerald Herbert