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Bristol stool chart

Seven shapes, from hard lumps to watery. Tap the one that matches to see what it usually means, in plain words.

Which type was it?

Tap the one that matches.

Seven shapes, from hard lumps (1) to watery (7). Doctors use this chart to talk about poo without guessing.

All 7 types

Descriptions and meanings are from Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic

  1. Type 1 · Lumps

    Separate, hard lumps, like little pebbles.

    Suggests constipation

  2. Type 2 · Lumpy

    Hard and lumpy, but sausage-shaped.

    Suggests constipation

  3. Type 3 · Cracked

    Sausage-shaped, with cracks on the surface.

    Most ideal

  4. Type 4 · Smooth

    Smooth, soft and snakelike.

    Most ideal

  5. Type 5 · Blobs

    Soft blobs with clear-cut edges.

    Suggests diarrhea

  6. Type 6 · Mushy

    Fluffy, mushy pieces with ragged edges.

    Suggests diarrhea

  7. Type 7 · Watery

    Watery, liquid poop, with no solid pieces.

    Suggests diarrhea

When not to wait

The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

  • you have lost a lot of weight for no reason
  • you're bleeding from your bottom or have bloody diarrhoea
  • you find a hard lump or swelling in your tummy
  • you have shortness of breath, noticeable heartbeats (palpitations) and skin that's paler than usual

NHS: symptoms of IBS . Outside the UK, contact your doctor or urgent care.

One poop is a guess. Two weeks is a record.

Print the free food and symptom diary, or get the app that logs a type in one tap.

Questions

What is the Bristol stool chart?
A chart that sorts poo into 7 types by shape and texture, from hard lumps (type 1) to watery (type 7). It gives you and your doctor the same words for it. Descriptions on this page are from Cleveland Clinic.
Which Bristol type is normal?
Cleveland Clinic says types 3 and 4 are the most ideal (source).
Is type 5 or 6 bad?
Cleveland Clinic says types 5, 6 and 7 suggest diarrhea, and that if it is very runny for a long time, you should see your healthcare provider (source). One type on one day tells you little. A week or two of notes tells your doctor much more.
What if I see blood?
The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you are bleeding from your bottom or have bloody diarrhoea (source). Outside the UK, contact your doctor or urgent care.
Does this tool save my answer?
No. It runs in your browser, sends nothing and forgets your answer when you close the page.