The longest nose ever recorded belonged to 18th-century English circus performer Thomas Wedders, who reportedly had a nose measuring 7.5 inches (19 cm), though Guinness World Records can't officially verify it due to the lack of photos. For a living person, the record for the longest nose (male) was held by Mehmet Özyürek from Turkey, with a nose measuring 3.46 inches (8.8 cm) from bridge to tip, until his passing in 2023.
Mehmet Özyürek of Turkey holds the GWR title for the world's longest nose on a living person at 8.8 centimeters (3.46 inches) from bridge to tip.
👃 Thomas Wedders, or Wadhouse, had the largest nose of all time! We don't know exactly how long his nose was since he lived before the invention of the camera, but records state that his nose was a whopping 7.5 inches long! Learn more about his story at a Ripley's Believe It or Not!
In some cultures, an ideal nose is long and slender with a straight bridge, while in other cultures a short and wide or button-shaped nose is preferred. Different levels of prominence or projection of the nasal bridge can also be attractive in different regions.
The normal nose size for men is 2.2 inches and 2 inches for women. Noses that are 2 inches long are not large. Nose sizes between 2 and 2.2 inches are the normal size. If you have a large nose, you may prefer rhinoplasty surgery.
While it varies, the Hawk (or Aquiline/Roman Nose) with its prominent, curved bridge and the Nixon Nose (straight bridge, broad tip) are frequently cited as some of the rarest, alongside very specific types like the Saddlenose (sunken bridge from trauma/surgery) or certain subtle variations of Bulbous Noses, with percentages often under 5%.
Nose length: ideal nose length is often about 0.67 times the midfacial height. Dorsum shape: a straight dorsum that slightly descends about 2mm below the tip can be ideal. Nasal projection: the ideal projection of the nose from the alar crease should be about 0.55-0.60 of the nasal dorsal length.
In various cultures, a prominent nose has been associated with wisdom and power; for instance, ancient Roman leaders, such as Julius Caesar, were often depicted with elongated noses in sculptures, signifying their authority and gravitas.
It's important to remember that everyone has unique facial features, and there's no universal standard for beauty. A “big” nose on one person can be seen as striking and attractive, lending character and distinction to their appearance.
A nose that is in proportion to other facial features, such as the eyes, mouth, and forehead, tends to be considered more aesthetically pleasing. That is, it doesn't dominate the face too much, but it also doesn't feel too small in relation to the rest of the face.
Africans have the widest and most prominent nose compared to other ethnic groups. Their noses are featured with enlarged nostrils, wide and rounded tips and a lack of protruded nasal bridge. West Africans have the widest noses (widest nostrils), while north Africans tend to have the smallest wide noses.
As we age, our nasal skin becomes thinner, and the nose structure weakens and loses support. These changes cause the nasal tip to droop, making the nose look longer. Gravity will have the same effect on the nose as it does on facial skin around the eyes, cheeks, and jowls.
The money-making Roman snout follows in the aquiline slipstream of other bankable, big-nosed actors: Steve Carell, Bradley Cooper, Matthew Macfadyen, Jeff Goldblum, Andy Samberg, Liam Neeson, Adam Driver, Ryan Gosling, Owen Wilson, F Murray Abraham.
Whether your nose is described as a button or Roman, its size and shape are rooted deep inside your DNA. This fact may seem trivial, but it's extremely important for any person considering rhinoplasty. Studies indicate that four individual genes determine the length and width of this prominent facial feature.
The term Italian nose refers to a distinctive nasal shape commonly associated with individuals of Italian descent. It is typically characterized by a prominent bridge, slightly aquiline contour, and refined tip, contributing to a classical Mediterranean facial profile often linked with strong aesthetic harmony.
You can imagine a nordic nose shape as a straight nose with a moderate nasal width and tip. This type of nose is related to the people living in the countries of Europe like Denmark, Norway, Finland and Germany. This nose is the characteristic of the historical leaders of Vikings.
The rarest nose types are often considered the Nixon Nose (straight bridge with a broad, curved tip) and the perfectly straight Greek Nose, though some sources suggest the Hawk Nose (pronounced curve, prominent bridge) is also quite rare, with the Snub Nose (upturned tip) being cited as rare but present in about 5% of people. The rarity depends on specific definitions, but features like a perfectly straight bridge or unique curves are less common than variations with bumps or sloped tips, according to Yaman Surgery.
Genetics – Some people may have a naturally bulbous nose shape due to genetic predispositions without any underlying disease. Chalk this one up to the luck of the draw. Rhinophyma – Rhinophyma is a swelling, thickening, and redness at the tip of the nose that causes a bulbous appearance.
According to medical research, a button nose is generally considered to be the female preferred nose shape, though beauty is subjective and varies across cultures and personal preferences. This type of nose is lifted at the tip of the nose and has a smaller nasal bridge.
Scientists found larger noses inhale almost seven per cent fewer pollutants than smaller ones, and also act as a barrier to deflect germs away from the mouth. Bigger noses could even reduce the effects of hay fever, which is on the increase among Britons.
In Hebrew, longsuffering (slow to anger) literally meant “long of nose.” The word for anger in ancient Hebrew is “hot nose” or “red nose.” This immediately suggests the image of a red face, nostrils steaming. However, God is “long of nose,” meaning it takes a long time for his anger to find expression.
In one genome region in particular, called ATF3, the researchers found that many people in their study with Native American ancestry (as well as others with east Asian ancestry from another cohort) had genetic material in this gene that was inherited from the Neanderthals, contributing to increased nasal height.
The upturned nose, also called the celestial nose, is often seen as delicate and charming. It has a slightly elevated tip and a well-proportioned bridge, giving it a youthful and elegant appearance. This shape is often preferred in Western beauty standards, particularly for women seeking a soft, feminine look.
The Golden Lip Ratio
The top lip should protrude 1.618 times more forward than the bottom lip (as seen from a side view). The lips should be 1.618 times wider than the nose.
What is a normal nose size? The normal nose size for men is 2.2 inches and for women it is 2 inches.