How to Burp

Last Updated: March 3, 2023 References

A burp, also known as a belch (and medically as "eructation"), is your body's way of releasing small amounts of air that's swallowed when you eat and drink. Learning how to summon massive monster burps on command is a great way to gross out your friends. On the other hand, if you're attending a wedding or funeral in the future, it can also be smart to master the art of silent burping. Read on for great burping tips!^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Mega Burps

1
Fuel your burp. Any good burp starts with a good meal. For huge burps, you'll need to make your stomach very active. Eat and drink your meal as quickly as possible, taking big bites - you'll swallow more air.^{[2]
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- Soda water, Coca-Cola, beer, or any other carbonated beverage with lots of fizz are great choices. The bubbles in these drinks release carbon dioxide gas. The faster you drink, the more rapidly the carbon dioxide will hit your stomach. For even better results, drink through a straw - you won't lose any carbon dioxide to the air.
- If you're up for it, "shotgun" a beverage - that is, drink the entire thing in one gulp. See How to Shotgun a Beer for good instructions on shotgunning a drink in an aluminum can.
- The gas from a huge burp will contain gas from the food you've eaten. For truly horrifying odor combinations, experiment with different foods!
2
Stand up. If you can't, at least sit up. If you're not upright, the contents of your stomach won't be oriented with your gas at the top of your stomach, so it will be less likely to be released through your throat.

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3
Move around. Jump up and down or do a few jumping jacks. This will agitate the gas in your stomach. If you've had any carbonated beverages, it'll make them fizz and release gas as if you're shaking a can of soda.^{[3]
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- Be aware that exercising on a full stomach can cause nausea. Don't go too crazy with your jumping - belches are funny, but projectile vomit is not.
4
When you feel your burp coming, open your mouth and tilt your head back. Get your abdominal muscles ready - in the next step, you'll be using them. Get ready!
- Keeping your mouth open does two things. First, it makes you look grosser. Second, the cavern-like acoustics of a wide open mouth will make a burp louder (see: How to Burp Loudly).
5
As you burp, squeeze with your stomach muscles. This may take some practice. The goal is to squeeze your stomach like a bellows to force the burp out in one loud push. Use your diaphragm and abdominal muscles to firmly (but not violently) push. If done correctly, you'll get a loud "bark." Practice until you're comfortable with this step.
- For longer burps, try to release your burp gradually, with less force. It can be challenging to strike a precise balance. Push too hard, and your burp will be too short. Push too softly, and your burp will die out.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Instant Burps

1
Begin by filling your lungs with air. You don't need to take an enormous breath - simply breathe in normally. Instead of swallowing air with your food, in this method, you'll swallow air directly from your lungs.^{[4]
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Close your mouth and plug your nostrils. You want to make sure that you cannot inhale any additional air or suffocate yourself - if at any point you're desperate to breathe, don't do it.^{[5]
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3
Exhale into your mouth, then swallow the exhaled air with saliva. This will probably require some practice. Try to swallow as if you're eating a piece of food. Feel for the mouthfuls of air traveling down your esophagus. In effect, you are transferring air from your lungs into your stomach, at which point it can escape your body through the throat as a burp.^{[6]
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4
Repeat the exhale-swallow step several times. As you try to swallow, position the tip of tongue at the back of mouth, you will swallow greater quantity of air. Then, try to burp normally. This part can be difficult for beginners. When you're starting, it may be necessary to "force" your burps out. Practice your air-swallowing until you get a good feel for the technique. Soon, you'll be able to mortify your peers on command.
5
As you burp, squeeze with your stomach muscles. This may take some practice. The goal is to squeeze your stomach like a bellows to force the burp out in one loud push. Use your diaphragm and abdominal muscles to firmly (but not violently) push. If done correctly, you'll get a loud "bark." Practice until you're comfortable with this step.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

The Delicate Flower Burp

1
Eat a dainty meal. This burping technique is used when you have to burp, but want to do it as silently as possible - a must for fancy,high-class dinners. This step is preventative - smaller amounts of food and drink mean smaller burps.^{[7]
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- See also: How to Burp Without People Noticing.
2
When you need to burp, close your mouth. Even if you perform this method incorrectly, a closed mouth will muffle the sound of an otherwise loud burp.
3
Let the gas come out through your nose. Burps that escape through the nose are almost completely silent. This is because they don't vibrate the upper esophageal sphincter, like a mouth burp. The sound produced will be like that of a normal exhalation through the nose, though any odor may remain.
- Try to have clear sinuses beforehand - otherwise, your burp will have nowhere to go.
4
Hold your hand up to your nose so that the air released dissipates against it. Doing this will help your burp be as subtle as possible— unless the scent causes you pass out.
5
As an alternative, try burping into your closed mouth. Covering your mouth with your hands or a closed fist will further muffle any sound from the burp. When you've made your burp, open your mouth to allow the gas to dissipate.
- Pretending to yawn can be a great excuse to open your mouth. Just make sure you don't have any extra burps before you do it!

Community Q&A

Question

How can I make a really big burp?

Community Answer

Drink lots of soda or other bubbly drinks, quickly. Lots of bubbles make a big burp. Eating food and flushing down with lots of soda can also help make one big burp.
Question

Why would anyone want to burp?

Community Answer

Some people think it's funny. In other cases, burping can help relieve discomfort from gas in your stomach.
Question

Why would someone need to burp?

Community Answer

To release gas from the body.

Warnings

Be sure the people you burp around don't find it offensive. If you're really careless, you can ruin a first date with a disgusting belch. Control yourself.

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Excessive burping, especially accompanied by other symptoms, can be a sign of certain medical conditions.^{[8]
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Research source} If you are experiencing constant burping along with any of the following symptoms, talk to your doctor:
- Pain
- Heartburn
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
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