Fart World Records
From the loudest recorded flatulence to the most prolific producers in the animal kingdom, the world of fart records is surprisingly well-documented — and occasionally scientifically significant. Here are the most notable benchmarks in the history of human and animal flatulence.
The Loudest Fart
The loudest human fart ever recorded in a documented context measured approximately 113 decibels — comparable to a chainsaw at close range or the front row of a loud rock concert. While formal Guinness World Records do not maintain an official 'loudest fart' category (for reasons of dignity and practicality), various informal measurements have been conducted by researchers studying anorectal acoustics. The sound level depends on the pressure of gas release, the geometry of the anal sphincter, and the resonance properties of the surrounding tissue — essentially the same principles that govern musical wind instruments, but considerably less celebrated.
The Most Flatulent Person on Record
Medical literature contains several documented cases of extraordinary flatulence. One particularly famous case, described by Dr. Michael Levitt in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, involved a patient who produced 141 discrete fart events in a single 24-hour monitored period — far above the typical 14–23. The patient ate a controlled high-fiber diet during the study. Another documented individual, studied at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, produced over 900 milliliters of hydrogen gas per hour after consuming a lactose-heavy meal — setting an informal record for gas production rate. The study concluded that this individual's microbiome was 'exceptionally efficient.'
Animal Champions
In the animal kingdom, termites hold the undisputed collective flatulence record. An estimated 2.4 trillion termites inhabit the Earth, each producing methane through hindgut fermentation of cellulose. Together, they emit an estimated 20–30 million metric tons of methane annually. Individually, the blue whale is likely the largest single farter on Earth by volume — given its body size, food intake, and digestive capacity — though scientific measurement of whale flatulence remains technically challenging. A blue whale fart has been informally described by marine biologists as leaving 'a slick on the water surface the size of a small car.'
Historical and Cultural Records
The Roman Emperor Claudius reportedly issued an imperial decree making it legal to pass gas at banquets, believing that suppressing flatulence was dangerous to health. While this anecdote may be partially apocryphal, it reflects a long human history of recognizing the record-keeping potential of farting. In 1920s Paris, a performer named Joseph Pujol — known professionally as Le Pétomane — performed flatulence acts at the Moulin Rouge to sold-out audiences and was reportedly the highest-paid entertainer in France. He could control his flatulence with sufficient precision to play tunes, extinguish candles, and imitate animals.
Record Facts
- The loudest documented fart reached approximately 113 decibels — comparable to a chainsaw.
- One medically monitored patient farted 141 times in a single day on a high-fiber diet.
- Le Pétomane earned more than Sarah Bernhardt at the Moulin Rouge in the 1890s.
- Termites collectively produce 20–30 million metric tons of methane per year.
Fun Fact
Le Pétomane — the French flatulist — could inhale air through his rectum (not his intestines, which are not connected) and expel it with remarkable control. His repertoire included the French national anthem, imitations of cannon fire, and a solo performance of 'O Sole Mio.' He retired wealthy and died peacefully at 88, presumably in a well-ventilated room.
Sources
- Levitt, M.D. et al. (1996). Evaluation of an extremely flatulent patient: case report and proposed diagnostic and therapeutic approach. American Journal of Gastroenterology.
- Nolan, J. (2001). Le Pétomane: The Fartiste. Historical Review of Performing Arts.