Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsHow It’s UsedPoop ColorsBowel Health FactorsHealthy PoopImproving Bowel Health
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
How It’s Used
Poop Colors
Bowel Health Factors
Healthy Poop
Improving Bowel Health
The Bristol Stool Chart is used to determine whether human stool (poop) is typical, or if its shape and consistency suggest a health issue. Healthcare providers use the chart when diagnosingirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)and other gastrointestinal (GI) conditions.
On the Bristol Stool Chart, also called the Meyers Scale, the stool is assigned a number from 1 to 7, from hardest to loosest. Normal stools are those in the middle of the chart, in the 3 to 4 range.
What Is the Bristol Stool Chart?
The Bristol Stool Chart is used when a healthcare provider is diagnosing the cause ofconstipation, diarrhea, or other symptoms. They typically ask you to look at the chart and point to the number that most closely matches the look and form of your bowel movements:
Hard Stools: Types 1 and 2
Types 1 and 2 describe stool that is hard to pass and may point to constipation. Stools of these types may be darker in color than normal stools.Constipation causesinclude:
Bloating and stomach pains may go along with these types. Stools that are hard to pass can cause you to strain when trying to have a bowel movement and lead to diverticulosis andhemorrhoids. In some cases, you may see blood in the stool with these conditions.
Healthy Stool: Types 3 and 4
Types 3 and 4 describe stool that is well-formed and easy to pass. These are thought of as “normal,” healthy stools and the most ideal.
Loose Stools: Types 5 and 6
Type 5 stools are considered borderlinediarrhea. For some people, they may be typical even in the absence of a GI condition. For others, they may suggest a mild or developing GI issue. They also can indicate a dietary problem such as inadequate fiber intake.
Diarrhea can be considered:
Diarrhea: Type 7
Type 7 describes very loose stools or fully liquid diarrhea. With this type, you may feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement and may not be able to hold it. If the diarrhea persists, you may also becomedehydratedormalnourished.
How the Bristol Stool Chart Is Used
Your healthcare provider may use the Bristol Stool Chart if you have unusual bowel symptoms or notice a change in your bowel habits or the way your stools look.
These include issues such as:
Your healthcare provider may ask you to look at your stool and compare it to the Bristol Stool Chart. You can then talk about any changes to your bowel habits and the new score at your next visit.
During your visit, your healthcare provider may:
A modified version of the chart can also be used for children. It includes drawings that children can use to describe their stools when being assessed for bowel issues such as constipation and soiling.
Bowel movements are considered regular in most cases if they occur as often as one to three times a day, or as little as three times a week. But what is considered a “normal” bowel movement varies with each person and there are many factors that influence bowel habits.
What Do Different Poop Colors Mean?
Brown is typically the healthiest color for poop. Some color changes can occur with diet or medication, but they also can signify a problem. These can include:
You should notify your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect blood in your stool. You also should let them know if pale chalky stools common to pancreatitis have occurred.
Factors That Can Influence Bowel Habits
For instance, your bowel habits may shift due to:
The Bristol Stool Chart identifies types 3 and 4 as samples of healthy stools. They are well-formed in their consistency and shape, and neither too hard nor too loose.
Signs of bowel health include:
Floating stool can be considered normal and may be due to diet. It also may be linked to health conditions including malabsorption, infection,pancreatitis, and IBS.Talk to your healthcare provider about symptoms.
Bowel health is closely related to diet and exercise. Often, simple changes like drinking more fluids, eating a diet high in fiber, and exercising regularly will help you achieve easy-to-pass stools. You can:
Summary
The scale is also used as a research tool to explore GI disorders and how well various treatments work for these issues.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Blake MR, Raker JM, Whelan K.Validity and reliability of the Bristol Stool Form Scale in healthy adults and patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2016;44(7):693-703. doi:10.1111/apt.13746
Stanford Medicine.Bristol Stool Chart.
Sadler K, Arnold F, Dean S.Chronic Constipation in Adults.Am Fam Physician. 2022 Sep;106(3):299-306. PMID: 36126011
Cedars Sinai.Diverticular Disease.
UpToDate.Approach to the adult with acute diarrhea in resource-abundant settings.
Methodist Health System.Does Your Poop Look Like This? You Could Have IBS.
Yasmin N, Ruzante JM, Barkley JA, Maltz RM, Kowalcyk B.Detection of gastrointestinal pathogens in stool samples using a rapid multiplex PCR test at a large tertiary pediatric hospital.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2024 Sep 26;110(4):116544. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116544
Palsson OS, Whitehead W, Törnblom H, Sperber AD, Simren M.Prevalence of Rome IV functional bowel disorders among adults in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.Gastroenterology. 2020;158(5):1262-1273.e3. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.12.021
Guts UK.Bile acid malabsorption.
The National Pancreas Foundation.Chronic pancreatitis causes and symptoms.
Penn Medicine.The Scoop on Poop: What Does Your Poop Say About Your Health?
Bouchoucha M, Devroede G, Benamouzig R.Are floating stools associated with specific functional bowel disorders?Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015;27(8):968-973. doi:10.1097/MEG.0000000000000380
University of Michigan Health System.Healthy Bowel Habits.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
