The Bristol Stool Chart is a medical aid designed to classify the form of human faeces into seven categories. It was developed by Dr. Ken Heaton at the University of Bristol and first published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 1997.
It's the clinical standard for tracking bowel habits. If you have IBS, tracking your stool type using this chart is one of the best ways to communicate your symptoms to your gastroenterologist.
The 7 Types of the Bristol Stool Chart
Type 1: Separate hard lumps, like nuts (hard to pass)
This type indicates severe constipation. The stool has spent a long time in the colon, and most of the water has been absorbed.
Type 2: Sausage-shaped, but lumpy
This indicates mild constipation. It's often difficult to pass and can cause straining.
Type 3: Like a sausage but with cracks on its surface
This is considered a normal, healthy stool. It's relatively easy to pass.
Type 4: Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft
This is the "gold standard" of a healthy stool. It's smooth, easy to pass, and indicates good digestion and hydration.
Type 5: Soft blobs with clear cut edges (passed easily)
This type is on the softer side of normal. It's common for people who have multiple bowel movements a day, but can also indicate a lack of dietary fiber.
Type 6: Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool
This indicates mild diarrhea. It can be caused by stress, dietary triggers, or a mild stomach bug.
Type 7: Watery, no solid pieces, entirely liquid
This indicates severe diarrhea. Food has passed through the digestive tract very quickly, and very little water has been absorbed. This is a common symptom for people with IBS-D or IBD.
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Download on the App StoreWhy Tracking Your Stool Matters
If you're dealing with digestive issues, your doctor will likely ask you about your bowel habits. It's difficult to remember exactly what your stool looked like three weeks ago.
By tracking your stool type daily, you can identify patterns. For example, you might notice that you always experience Type 6 stool the day after eating dairy, or that periods of high stress are followed by Type 1 or 2 stool.
Using an app like GutLog makes this tracking process effortless. You can simply tap the visual representation of your stool type, and GutLog will automatically compile your data into a clear, easy-to-read chart that you can share with your doctor.