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Poop Basics

What type of poop is this? A quick Bristol + color guide

How can I tell what type of poop I have?

To identify what “type” of poop you have, start with form (Bristol Types 1-7) and then add color for context. Types 1 to 2 usually suggest a slower transit or constipation pattern, Types 3 to 4 are often typical, and Types 5 to 7 usually suggest faster transit or diarrhea patterns. Color changes are often food or supplement-related, but black/tarry stool, significant bright red blood, or repeated pale/clay stool deserve prompt medical attention, especially with weakness, dizziness, fever, or severe pain.

Key takeaways

  • Use two labels: Bristol type (form) + color. That usually covers 80% of “what does this mean?”
  • If you only track one extra thing, track timing (time of day + whether it repeats).
  • Symptoms and persistence matter more than one photo.
  • If you’re unsure about bleeding-like colors, use a stop rule and seek medical advice.

Safety notes

  • Seek medical care for black/tarry stool, large amounts of bright red blood, severe pain, fever, faintness, dehydration, or unexplained weight loss.
  • If you are on blood thinners, pregnant, immunocompromised, or you have significant medical conditions, escalate sooner.

What to track

  • Bristol type + stool color + time of day
  • Frequency
  • 1 to 2 symptoms if relevant (urgency, pain, fever, dizziness)
  • Obvious drivers (iron/Pepto, beets/dyes, antibiotics, travel, big diet shift)

How StoolSense helps

You want a fast way to label what you see, then spot repeat patterns over time.

You prefer short, consistent tags over long diary notes.

Start with two signals

Most “what does this mean?” questions get clearer when you separate:

  1. Form (Bristol type): a rough hint about transit speed.
  2. Color: context (often food/supplement-related, sometimes a red flag).

Then use symptoms + persistence to decide urgency.

Step 1: Identify form (Bristol type)

Use the Bristol scale as a shared language:

  • Types 1 to 2: hard / lumpy, often a slower-transit pattern
  • Types 3 to 4: smooth / formed, often typical
  • Types 5 to 7: soft / mushy / watery, often a faster-transit pattern

If you’re unsure between two types, pick the closest match and stay consistent.

Step 2: Add color for context

Color changes are common. The colors that deserve extra caution are:

  • Black/tarry stool
  • Significant bright red blood or clots
  • Repeated pale/clay stool

If any of those show up with weakness, dizziness, fever, or severe pain, seek medical care.

A simple photo rule (optional)

Photos are optional. If they help you stay consistent, keep it simple:

  • Same lighting when possible
  • Crop tight so you’re focusing on the stool, not the bathroom
  • Use the photo only to pick a Bristol type + color label

If photos make you more anxious, skip them and stick to labels.

How StoolSense helps (quick logging)

StoolSense is designed to turn quick logs into clean tags.

Two low-effort options:

  • Manual: choose Bristol type + color and you’re done.
  • Photo + AI suggestions: add a photo, then review and edit the suggested tags before saving.

Either way, the goal is the same: a consistent baseline so you can spot repeat patterns and run one focused 7-day experiment.

What to track for 7 days (minimal version)

  • Bristol type (1-7)
  • Color
  • Time of day
  • One symptom if relevant (urgency or pain)

That’s usually enough to stop guessing and start noticing patterns.

FAQs

What is the easiest way to classify poop? +
Use Bristol type (1-7) for form and add a color note. If you add one more detail, add timing (time of day) because it helps connect patterns to routines and triggers.
Which Bristol types are “normal”? +
Types 3 to 4 are often described as typical. But your baseline matters: a sudden sustained change from your usual pattern can be more important than the exact number.
Why does my poop look like more than one Bristol type? +
Mixed stools happen. If you see a mix, pick the dominant type or choose the type that best matches the hardest/loosest portion. Consistency matters more than precision.
How can I tell if red stool is blood or food? +
Beets and red dyes can cause red-tinted stool. Bright red blood or clots are different and deserve more caution. If you are unsure, or you feel unwell, seek medical advice.
Can AI identify Bristol type from a photo? +
Photo-based suggestions can help you log faster, but they are not a diagnosis. If you use StoolSense photo suggestions, review and edit the suggested type and color before saving so your log stays accurate.

References

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