What Your Poop is Trying to Tell You | Chart Included

It might sound a bit strange, but there may be a message waiting for you in your toilet, and it’s coming from your poop! You can learn a lot from the appearance based on its shape, color, and the frequency in which those indicators occur.

Curious what you could find out? Well thanks to the Bristol Stool Chart used by many doctors, there are seven types of bowel movements that tell the story of what could be happening in your gut.

Our Take On The Bristol Stool Chart

Type 1: Separate hard lumps

What this could mean: Constipated

This type might be slightly hard to pass. It’s likely a sign that you’re constipated but you may want to see a doctor if this lasts more than a couple of weeks.

Type 2: Lumpy, sausage-like

What this could mean: Slightly constipated

Not the worst thing in the world, but it might take longer than normal to push out. Drink more water to help get things moving back there.

Type 3: Sausage like with cracks in the surface

What this could mean: Normal

Most common shape and easy to pass. This is a very normal bowel movement.

Type 4: Smooth, snake-like

What this could mean: Normal

This is the ideal shape and signifies a completely healthy poop. Shoot for this type of movement every 1-3 days.

Type 5: Soft blobs with clear-cut edges

What this could mean: Lacking fiber

Relatively easy to pass but might have some sense of urgency behind it. It should firm up on its own in a couple of days.

Type 6: Mushy consistency with ragged edges

What this could mean: Inflammation

You’ll want to drink more fluids and add electrolytes as you’re slightly dehydrated. Fruit juice and soup should do the trick.

Type 7: Liquid consistency with no solid pieces

What this could mean: Inflammation & constipated

Check for additional signs of dehydration, like dry mouth, sleepiness, headaches, or if you have severe stomach pains and/or fever. See your doctor if this lasts more than 3 days.

Color Scale of Stool

Light/Yellow

Could be caused by:

• too much fat
• trouble absorbing nutrients
• a side effect of certain medications
• a clogged bile duct

If this persists for a few days, you’ll want to check in with your doctor.

Green

Could be caused by:

• consumption of lots of green vegetables
• food moving through your digestive tract faster than it can be broken down

It’s pretty normal, but shouldn’t be an everyday occurrence.

Brown

This means your poop is perfectly normal! Brown stools are ideal, and probably what you’re most used to seeing. Your stool turns brown as a result of all your food mixing together as you digest, along with some bile to help it process.

Black

Could be caused by:

• an iron supplement
• an active ingredient in stomach medicines
• eating lots of black licorice

If none of the above apply to you, check in with your doctor.

Red

Could be caused by:

• eating red food coloring or red-colored medicine
• blood in the large intestine
• a scratch in the rectum
• hemorrhoids

If you find your stool is red, you’ll likely want to contact your doctor as it can be a sign of more serious issues.