List of Billboard number-one R&B singles of the 1940s
This list of R&B No. 1 hits of 1942 in the United States is part of the List of No. 1 R&B hits (USA).
| Issue Date | Song | Artist | Weeks at No. 1 |
| October 24 | "Take It and Git" | Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy | 1 week |
| October 31 | "Mr. Five by Five" | Freddie Slack and His Orchestra featuring Ella Mae Morse | 2 weeks* |
| November 7 | "Trav'lin' Light" | Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra featuring Billie Holiday | 3 weeks* |
| November 14 | "Stormy Monday Blues" | Earl Hines and His Orchestra featuring Billy Eckstine | 1 week |
| November 28 | "When the Lights Go on Again" | Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra | 2 weeks* |
| December 19 | "White Christmas" | Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter and Ken Darby | 3 weeks |
An asterisk (*) after a song title means that the song lost and then regained the number-one spot.