Bristol Stool Chart

The Bristol Stool Chart is a reference guide healthcare providers use to evaluate your poop. It classifies poop into seven types, based on its shape and consistency. If you’re discussing your poops with your healthcare provider, they might use the Bristol Stool Chart to get down to specifics. You can also use it at home to evaluate your bowel movements and record any changes in your bowel habits.

Why do my stools matter to my health?

The shape, color and smell of your bodily waste are all important indicators of health. They can signal if something inside of you isn’t working quite right. The Bristol Stool Chart focuses specifically on shape and firmness. Hard, lumpy stool may mean you’re dehydrated, for instance. Soft, mushy poop could mean an illness. These classifications help to diagnose constipation, diarrhea and related conditions.

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Healthcare providers use the Bristol Stool Chart to check your poop. It classifies poop into seven types, based on its shape and consistency.

Bristol stool types

The Bristol stool types can help you and your healthcare provider define what’s normal for you, what’s unhealthy and what’s ideal. Here’s what the different types of stools in the Bristol Stool Chart mean:

• Type 1: Separate, hard lumps, like little pebbles
• Type 2: Hard and lumpy, but sausage-shaped
• Type 3: Sausage-shaped, with cracks on the surface
• Type 4: Smooth, soft and snakelike
• Type 5: Soft blobs with clear-cut edges
• Type 6: Fluffy, mushy pieces with ragged edges
• Type 7: Watery, liquid poop, with no solid pieces

Types 1 and 2 suggest constipation. These stools are dry, hard, and difficult to pass. They probably come infrequently. Your stools can get like this if they spend too long traveling through your intestines.

Types 3 and 4 are the most ideal. These stool forms are condensed enough to hold together, but not too hard or dry to pass. Poops like this suggest that your bowels move at a healthy and regular pace.

Types 5, 6 and 7 suggest diarrhea. Soft, mushy or liquid stools come out too easily. They may be hard to hold in. They happen when your bowels move too fast and too often and don’t absorb enough water.

How do healthcare providers use the Bristol Stool Chart?

Providers use the Bristol Stool Chart to better understand what your stools are like and to classify the type of diarrhea or constipation you have. It can help them diagnose conditions and keep track of how those conditions change over time. If you have a chronic (long-term) condition like IBS or Crohn’s disease, your provider might use the Bristol Stool Chart to categorize it or put it into a subtype.

Does the Bristol Stool Chart work for children?

For children, pediatricians use a modified form of the chart with fewer types in it. The Modified Bristol Stool Form Scale (m-BSFS) removes types 3 and 5 from the adult chart, leaving a total of five stool types. These remaining types are easier to tell apart, so children can readily point to the poop they recognize in the pictures. This chart offers an easy way to screen for possible pooping issues during a well-child visit.

What should I do if I have unhealthy stools according to the chart?

It’s normal to have a hard poop or a mushy poop now and then. Things like what you eat and how much water or alcohol you drink can affect your stools from day to day. A passing stomach bug or food poisoning may cause diarrhea for a few days. But if you consistently have unhealthy stools, you might need to make some changes to address the issue. In some cases, you might need medical treatment.

For constipation (stool types 1 and 2): Try these tips to relieve constipation at home. If home remedies don’t work, it’s OK to use an over-the-counter stool softener or laxative on occasion to get things moving again. But if you find you need to use them often, you should consult your healthcare provider. They’ll check for underlying conditions and prescribe an appropriate long-term treatment plan.

For diarrhea (stool types 5 through 7): Sometimes, chronic diarrhea has a simple cause, like an unknown food intolerance or a medication you’re taking. It might go away if you can find and remove the food or medication. If it’s mild (like type 5), you might be able to bulk up your stools by eating more fiber. But if it’s very runny for a long time, you should see your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.