The biggest pandemic recorded so far is generally considered the Spanish Flu of 1918–1919, which is estimated to have caused about 50 million deaths worldwide. COVID-19 is the largest recent pandemic, but by death toll the Spanish Flu is usually cited as the deadliest recorded pandemic.

Quick scoop

  • Spanish Flu (1918–1919): about 50 million deaths.
  • COVID-19 (2019–present): still ongoing, with estimated deaths far below the Spanish Flu in most historical estimates.
  • Other major pandemics: the seven cholera pandemics and HIV/AIDS have also caused massive global loss, but not more than the Spanish Flu in most records.

One-line answer

So, if you mean the largest pandemic in recorded history by deaths , the answer is the Spanish Flu.