The “world’s funniest fart” has been revealed by scientists in a specially commissioned study – and no, this isn’t a joke. 

The Flatulence Report, for The Beano, has worked out the formula after testing 176 different fart noises – ranging from low to high pitch, short to long, dry to wet and from loud to squeaking.

Components in the formula included a fart’s intensity, length and social embarrassment. Researchers considered the number of children present and their ages when analysing red faces in the room. 

The funniest fart had a mean score of 8.27 out of 10 – and was described as “unfortunate” and “potentially messy”.

“The funniest fart is long, loud and ever so slightly wet,” said scientist Dr Helen Pilcher, who led the research with the help of ‘Beano boffins’ and sound specialists Bose Professional. “This gives it the potential to cause major social embarrassment.”

Dr Pilcher continued: “The research and our formula show how funny farts are. It’s as simple as that.

“Anyone who says they’ve never farted or found a fart funny has pants that are probably on fire.”

The study found farts are likely to be found 5% funnier by men than women, with children also finding them 23% funnier than adults.

Young adults in the 18-24 age group were the least amused.

Mike Stirling, editorial director of Beano Studios, said: “We hired some genuine boffins to prove it, by helping us release the funniest fart of all time – you know, for science.”