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How often should you poop?

Normal can be anything from three times a day to three times a week, provided that this is normal for you.

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

1 · How often do you usually poo?
2 · What does it usually look like?

Not sure? See all 7 types

3 · Is this new for you?
4 · Any of these?

What’s normal

How often people open their bowels (go for a poo) varies. Normal can be anything from three times per day to three times per week, provided that this is normal for you. Changes in bowel habit for longer than three weeks should always be investigated. Royal Berkshire NHS FT

Shape matters as much as how often. Cleveland Clinic says types 3 and 4 on the Bristol stool chart are the most ideal. Cleveland Clinic

Signs of constipation

The NHS says it’s likely to be constipation if:

  • you have not had a poo at least 3 times during the last week or you're pooing less often than usual
  • the poo is unusually large or small and is dry, hard or lumpy
  • you are straining or in pain when you have a poo
  • you feel like you haven't fully emptied your bowels

NHS: constipation

“Normal for you” only shows up in a record.

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

Questions

How often should you poop?
There is no single right number. A Royal Berkshire NHS leaflet says normal can be anything from three times a day to three times a week, provided that this is normal for you (source).
Is it normal not to poop every day?
It can be. The same leaflet puts the low end of normal at three times a week, if that is normal for you. The NHS says it is likely to be constipation if you have not had a poo at least 3 times during the last week, or you are pooing less often than usual (NHS).
Is pooping 3 times a day normal?
Up to three times a day is inside the range the Royal Berkshire NHS leaflet calls normal, provided that this is normal for you (source). What it looks like matters too: check the Bristol stool chart.
When should I see a doctor about how often I poop?
The leaflet says changes in bowel habit for longer than three weeks should always be investigated, and to tell your doctor if you notice blood in your poo or it is very dark and sticky (source).
Does this checker save my answers?
No. It runs in your browser, sends nothing and forgets your answers when you close the page.