The Unofficial Sound Barrier: 5 Shocking Facts About The World's Loudest Fart (118.1 DB)
As of December 22, 2025, the title for the world's loudest recorded fart is an honor both coveted and highly disputed, a gaseous legend that has captivated the internet for decades. The leading, though officially unrecognized, record stands at a staggering 118.1 decibels (dB). This monumental "megatoot" is attributed to an Englishman named Paul Hunn, whose explosive release in 1972 has created a legacy that echoes louder than the sound itself. The story of this record is less about a single blast and more about the strange intersection of human physiology, sound measurement, and the curious boundaries of what constitutes an official world record.
The controversial nature of the 118.1 dB claim stems from the fact that Guinness World Records has long refused to officially recognize the category, citing the difficulty in establishing controlled, verifiable, and sanitary measurement conditions. Despite this lack of official certification, the figure of 118.1 decibels remains the undisputed gold standard in the world of extreme flatulence, a sound level comparable to a chainsaw or a symphony orchestra at full volume. This article dives deep into the man, the science, and the shocking decibel comparison of the most explosive human sound ever documented.
The Man Behind the Thunder: Paul Hunn's Profile
The name Paul Hunn is synonymous with extreme human sound, not just for his legendary flatulence, but for another explosive achievement that is officially recognized. While details on his personal life are sparse, his legacy in the world of bodily noises is surprisingly well-documented. Here is a brief profile of the man who holds the unofficial title for the world's loudest fart and an official title for another bodily function:
- Name: Paul Hunn
- Nationality: British (English)
- Location of Fart Record: Flint, Michigan, USA
- Date of Fart Record: May 11, 1972
- Loudness (Unofficial Record): 118.1 Decibels (dB)
- Other Notable Feat: Hunn is the official Guinness World Record holder for the Loudest Burp, recorded at 109.9 dB in 2009. This dual achievement solidifies his status as a champion of extreme human bodily noise.
- Longest Fart Claim: Hunn is also frequently cited for releasing a fart that lasted for a staggering two minutes and 42 seconds, an incredible feat of anal sphincter control and intestinal gas volume.
The fact that Paul Hunn holds a legitimate Guinness World Record for the loudest burp lends significant credibility to his unofficial flatulence record. It suggests a unique physiological ability to harness and release high-volume, high-velocity gas, making the 118.1 dB figure a highly plausible, if unverified, achievement.
118.1 Decibels: How Loud Is the World's Loudest Fart?
To truly grasp the magnitude of a 118.1-decibel fart, it's essential to put that sound level into a real-world context. The decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning a small increase in the number represents a massive increase in sound intensity. For instance, a sound 10 dB louder is perceived as roughly twice as loud.
The average human fart typically registers between 50 and 70 dB, which is comparable to a normal conversation or a quiet office environment. Hunn's 118.1 dB blast is in a completely different league of auditory assault.
Decibel Comparison Chart: The Flatulence Scale
To illustrate the sheer volume of the world's loudest fart, consider these common sound comparisons:
- 30 dB: A whisper or a quiet library.
- 60 dB: Normal conversation or a sewing machine.
- 85 dB: The threshold where prolonged exposure can cause hearing damage (e.g., a noisy restaurant or heavy city traffic).
- 100 dB: A handheld power drill or a motorcycle.
- 110 dB: A chainsaw or a loud rock concert.
- 118.1 dB (Paul Hunn's Fart): Louder than a power saw and approaching the sound level of a pneumatic chipper (125 dB) or a jet engine taking off from 200 feet away.
A sound of 118.1 dB is not just loud; it is a physically jarring noise that could easily cause momentary pain and is dangerously close to the 120 dB threshold of immediate discomfort. It’s a level of flatulence that demands not just an apology, but a hearing test.
The Science of the "Megatoot": Why Some Farts are So Loud
The loudness of flatulence, or "flatus," is not just a matter of luck; it is a complex interplay of physical factors and the diet that produces the intestinal gas. Understanding the science behind the sound is key to achieving a truly explosive "megatoot."
1. The Speed of Gas Expulsion (The Velocity)
The primary determinant of a fart's loudness is the speed at which the gas is expelled. The faster the gas exits the body, the louder the resulting sound. This velocity is controlled by the pressure built up in the colon and rectum, combined with the voluntary or involuntary relaxation of the anal sphincter muscles. A sudden, forceful release from a tightly constricted opening creates a high-velocity jet of gas, similar to the sound produced by a balloon popping.
2. The Volume of Gas (The Fuel)
The total volume of gas being released also plays a significant role. The average person passes between 0.5 and 1.5 liters of gas per day. A high-volume release, especially one accumulated from a gas-producing diet, provides more "fuel" for the acoustic event. The gas itself is primarily composed of odorless gases like nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. The odor comes from trace amounts of sulfur-containing compounds like hydrogen sulfide.
3. The Tightness of the Exit (The Aperture)
The sound of a fart is created by the vibration of the anal sphincter and the surrounding soft tissue as the gas passes through a narrow aperture. A tighter, more controlled opening creates a higher-pitched, more resonant sound, whereas a fully relaxed opening results in a quieter, low-frequency 'floof' sound. The legendary 118.1 dB fart likely resulted from a perfect storm of high pressure and a precisely constricted passage, maximizing the acoustic energy.
4. The Diet (The Catalyst)
The production of the gas itself is often linked to the fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the large intestine by gut bacteria. Foods notorious for producing high volumes of gas include beans, lentils, cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cabbage), and certain dairy products due to lactose intolerance. Consuming a diet rich in these fermentable foods is the first step toward a potential world-record attempt.
The Official Verdict: Why Guinness Won't Touch This Record
Despite the enduring popularity of the 118.1 dB claim, the Guinness World Records organization does not currently recognize a "Loudest Fart" category. This decision is rooted in the practical and ethical difficulties of verifying the record, a common issue with highly subjective and private bodily function records.
The main challenges for official certification include:
- Standardized Measurement: Ensuring the sound-level meter is positioned at a consistent, safe distance from the source (the anus) and that the measurement is accurate and not influenced by echoes or background noise.
- Verification and Witnessing: Requiring official, independent witnesses to observe the event, which raises obvious logistical and sanitary concerns.
- The Integrity of the Record: The record is easily susceptible to manipulation, such as the use of external devices or sound amplification.
While the "Loudest Fart" remains in unofficial limbo, Guinness does recognize other, more verifiable flatulence-related achievements, demonstrating a clear interest in the category's topical authority. These records include:
- Longest Career as a Flatulist (Male): Held by Mr. Methane (Paul Oldfield) for his long-running professional stage career performing musical flatulence on cue.
- Most Lit Candles Extinguished by Farting: An achievement tracked by other record organizations, focusing on the force and directed stream of the flatus rather than just the sound.
The enduring legend of the 118.1 dB fart, therefore, serves as a testament to human curiosity and the pursuit of extreme bodily achievements, even those that remain uncertified by the world's leading authority on records. Paul Hunn’s legendary blast may never be officially recognized, but in the annals of gaseous history, his "megatoot" remains the undisputed champion.
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