Shape and consistency
Bristol Stool Chart: types 1 through 7 explained.
The Bristol stool chart is a practical way to describe stool form. It is not a diagnosis by itself, but it gives you and a clinician a shared language for constipation, formed stool, loose stool, and diarrhea.
Type 1
Separate hard lumps. Often difficult to pass and commonly associated with constipation.
Type 2
Lumpy, sausage-shaped stool. Still often points toward constipation.
Type 3
Sausage-shaped with surface cracks. Usually formed and easier to pass.
Type 4
Smooth, soft, snake-like stool. Commonly considered a comfortable formed stool.
Type 5
Soft blobs with clear edges. Can be normal for some people but may trend loose.
Type 6
Mushy pieces with ragged edges. Often described as loose stool.
Type 7
Watery stool with no solid pieces. This is diarrhea.
How to use the chart
Use the chart to describe what you saw, then add context: how often it happened, whether it was painful, whether you had urgency, and whether there were color changes, fever, blood, mucus, dehydration, or recent medication changes.
Types 1 and 2 often travel too slowly through the bowel. Types 6 and 7 often travel too quickly or follow irritation, infection, diet changes, or medication effects. Types 3 and 4 are commonly the easiest to pass.
When stool type needs medical attention
Call a clinician promptly if a stool change is persistent or comes with black tarry stool, red blood, pus, severe abdominal or rectal pain, fever, vomiting, dehydration symptoms, fainting, confusion, unexplained weight loss, or a major change from your normal pattern.