Bristol stool chart: what Types 1-7 mean

What is the Bristol stool chart and what do Types 1-7 mean?

The Bristol stool chart is a 1-7 scale for poop (stool) form. In general, Types 1 to 2 suggest a constipation or slow-transit pattern, Types 3 to 4 are often typical, and Types 5 to 7 suggest faster transit or diarrhea patterns. The goal is not to chase a perfect number. It is to track your baseline consistently so you can spot repeat patterns.

At a glance

Type	Example	Description
Type 1		Separate hard pellets. Often a constipation / slow-transit pattern (common with dehydration or low fiber).
Type 2		Sausage-shaped, but lumpy. Often mild constipation (still slower transit; can mean you’re a bit dry or under-fibered).
Type 3		Sausage with cracks on the surface. Often typical. If you’re straining, look at hydration, routine, and fiber - one lever at a time.
Type 4		Smooth, soft, snake-like. Often the “most typical” form and usually easy to pass.
Type 5		Soft blobs with clear edges. Often a faster-transit day (can happen with stress, travel, a diet shift, or lower fiber).
Type 6		Mushy stool with ragged edges. Often a mild diarrhea / irritation pattern. Track urgency + timing to see what correlates.
Type 7		Watery, no solid pieces. Diarrhea pattern. Dehydration risk matters - if it’s persistent or severe, get medical advice.

Key takeaways

Types 3 to 4 are often described as typical.

Types 1 to 2 suggest slow transit or constipation patterns; Types 6 to 7 suggest faster transit or diarrhea patterns.

Consistency beats detail: one number + a few tags is enough to see trends.

Symptoms and persistence matter more than the exact type: sudden sustained change from your baseline is worth attention.

How StoolSense helps

The scale alone is awkward

It is useful, but in real life you end up thinking “Is this a 4 or a 5?”, “What did I eat two days ago?”, “Am I actually improving or just guessing?”.

Guided labeling (you confirm)

Snap (or describe) → StoolSense suggests Bristol type + color → you tap “confirm / correct”. Result: less friction, more consistency, fewer “not sure” entries.

Inside + outside diary

In seconds, track what goes in (food, coffee, supplements) and what comes out (type, urgency, symptoms) without turning it into a job.

Smart Analysis (cautious, checkable)

After enough data, it summarizes patterns with dates and counts (e.g., “on days with X, Y shows up more often”). So you can tell trend vs coincidence.

Important

StoolSense is designed for educational tracking, not diagnosis.

Quick answer

The Bristol stool chart is a 1–7 scale for stool form. In general, Types 1–2 lean toward slower transit (constipation pattern), Types 3–4 are often typical, and Types 5–7 lean toward faster transit (diarrhea pattern). The point is not to “hit the perfect number” but to label consistently so you can spot repeat patterns.

How to read the Bristol stool chart (Types 1–7)

Types 1–2: often a slow-transit / constipation pattern
Types 3–4: often typical stool form
Types 5–7: often a faster-transit / diarrhea pattern

One practical tip: if you’re stuck between Type 4 and 5, pick the closest and stay consistent for 1–2 weeks. Trend clarity beats perfect labeling.

What can shift your Bristol type (without it meaning “something is wrong”)

Day-to-day variation is common. Usual drivers include:

routine changes (travel, sleep shifts)
fiber swings: see Fiber: what it does and how to ramp
caffeine timing: see Caffeine: what to watch
dairy/lactose: see Lactose: what to track
sweeteners/polyols: see Sweeteners and polyols
new meds/supplements

The goal is not to blame a single food. It’s to notice what repeats.

A practical 7-day baseline + one change

Track Bristol type + time of day for 7 days without changing habits.
Add 1–2 tags (don’t overdo it): caffeine timing, fiber, lactose, sweeteners/polyols.
Pick one lever and test it for 7 days.
Compare before/after counts rather than single days.

If you want a clean method for testing triggers: How to identify your trigger foods (7-day method).

When to seek care

Stool type alone rarely decides urgency. What matters most is red flags and persistence.

Seek medical care for blood, black/tarry stool, severe pain, fever, faintness, or unexplained weight loss.

Evidence note

The Bristol Stool Form Scale is widely used in clinics and research as a shared language for stool form. It helps describe patterns but does not diagnose conditions on its own.

FAQs

What is the Bristol stool chart? +

A seven-type scale that describes stool form from 1 (hard) to 7 (liquid). It gives a shared language for noticing trends.

Which types are considered ideal? +

Types 3 to 4 are often described as the most typical. The goal here is not perfection, just noticing your own trends.

When was the Bristol stool chart created? +

The most-cited research paper behind the Bristol Stool Form Scale is from 1997 (Lewis & Heaton), published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology.

Why does my Bristol type change day to day? +

Common reasons include hydration changes, fiber swings, stress and sleep shifts, travel/routine changes, meds/supplements, and triggers like caffeine, lactose, or sweeteners/polyols. Track one variable at a time so you can interpret cause vs coincidence.

Do I need photos? +

No. Photos are optional. If you do take photos, StoolSense can analyze a photo to suggest a Bristol type so you can label more consistently (and you can edit before saving). Treat it as education and tracking support - not diagnosis.