Bristol Stool Chart
Compare your stool with the seven-point Bristol bowel movement chart to see what the form indicates about gut transit time and general dietary levers.
Result
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Bristol type —
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- Gut transit
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- Scale position
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- General dietary levers
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Reference only. This scale is descriptive, not a diagnosis.
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How to read a Bristol bowel movement chart
A bristol bowel movement chart groups stool into seven forms. The scale is essentially a proxy for how long stool spent in the colon: Types 1 and 2 point toward constipation, Types 3 and 4 are the normal range, and Types 5 to 7 point toward diarrhoea.
Fibre and fluid both influence stool form. Soluble fibre such as oats, psyllium and beans adds gel and softens; insoluble fibre such as wheat bran and vegetable skins adds bulk and speeds transit. Hydration matters because fibre without fluid can worsen constipation.
How often is normal? Frequency spans roughly three times a day to three times a week, so the range is wide and there is no single correct number. See the Daily Fiber Calculator and High-Fiber Foods Chart for related references.
This is a descriptive reference scale, not a diagnosis. Blood in the stool, black or tarry stool, unexplained weight loss, a persistent change in bowel habit, severe pain, or diarrhoea lasting more than a few days all warrant seeing a clinician promptly.
Bristol Stool Chart FAQ
What do Types 3 and 4 mean?
Types 3 and 4 are the normal range. Type 4 is smooth and soft and is considered the ideal form.
What do Types 1 and 2 indicate?
They indicate slow transit and point toward constipation. Fibre and fluid generally influence stool form, but this chart cannot diagnose a condition.
What do Types 5 to 7 indicate?
They sit toward faster transit and the diarrhoea end of the scale. Type 5 may suggest a lack of fibre; Type 6 is mild diarrhoea; Type 7 is entirely liquid.
How often is a normal bowel movement?
Roughly three times a day to three times a week is a broad reference range. It is wide, and there is no single correct number.
When should I speak with a clinician?
Seek prompt clinical advice for blood in the stool, black or tarry stool, unexplained weight loss, a persistent change in bowel habit, severe pain, or diarrhoea lasting more than a few days.