A person’s poop can vary depending on diet, hydration, and health status. A stool that is hard, runny, or has an unusual color may indicate a health problem that needs attention.

Sometimes, poop can vary in color, texture, amount, and odor. These differences can be concerning, but usually, these changes are not significant and will resolve in a day or two. Other times, however, changes in poop indicate a more serious condition.

Keep reading to discover more about the different types of poop, including what is and is not typical.

Devised by doctors in the Bristol Royal Infirmary, England, and based on the bowel movements of nearly 2,000 people, the Bristol stool chart characterizes the different types of poop.

Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation, types 3 and 4 are healthy stool, while types 5–7 suggest diarrhea and urgency.

Poop is generally:

  • Medium to dark brown: It contains a pigment called bilirubin, which forms when red blood cells break down.
  • Strong-smelling: Bacteria in excrement emit gases that contain the unpleasant odor associated with poop.
  • Pain-free to pass: A healthy bowel movement should be painless and require minimal strain.
  • Soft to firm in texture: Doctors consider poop passed in one single piece or a few smaller pieces to signify a healthy bowel. The long, sausage-like shape of poop is due to the shape of the intestines.
  • Passed once or twice daily: Most people pass stool once a day, although others may poop every other day or up to three times daily. At a minimum, a person should pass stool three times per week.
  • Consistent in its characteristics: A healthy poop varies from person to person. However, people should monitor any changes in the smell, firmness, frequency, or color of poop as it can indicate an issue.

How long should a poop take?

It should take 10–15 minutes to pass the stool.

People who take longer than this may have constipation, hemorrhoids, or another condition.

While brown poop is considered the “usual” color of poop, some greenish-brown hues may also be acceptable.

Poop can be other colors too, such as:

  • Black: Black stools, especially if they have the appearance of tar, suggest gastrointestinal bleeding. Eating large quantities of black-colored foodstuffs may also cause it.
  • White: If stools are white, gray, or pale, a person may have an issue with the liver or gallbladder, as pale stools suggest a lack of bile. Some antidiarrhea medications cause white stools.
  • Green: Spinach, kale, or other green foods can cause green poop. However, a green-colored stool may signify too much bile and insufficient bilirubin in the poop.
  • Red: Poop that is red-colored may be the result of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Small amounts of blood in the stool can indicate hemorrhoids. Red colored foodstuffs may also cause red poop.
  • Orange: Blocked bile ducts or certain medications, including some antacids and the antibiotic rifampin, can cause orange poop. Consuming many orange-colored foods, which are rich in a pigment called beta-carotene, causes orange stool.
  • Yellow: If stool appears yellow or greasy-looking, the poop contains too much fat. This may result from absorption issues or difficulty producing enzymes or bile.

However, anyone who experiences changes in poop color that last 2 or more weeks or has red or black stool should consult a doctor.

Learn more about the different colors of stool with our visual guide here.

There is a range of reasons why a person may experience poop that is different from usual, including:

Stress

Stress can trigger and exacerbate digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It can affect how quickly food moves through the body, which can cause either diarrhea or constipation for some people.

Find out what remedies can alleviate stress.

Dehydration

Not drinking enough water and other fluids can lead to constipation, as stool requires moisture to move more easily through the digestive tract. Too much caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration.

Read on how much water a person should drink.

Lack of dietary fiber

Fiber acts as a binding substance to give stool its form. It also helps poop to move smoothly through the digestive tract. A diet low in fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses, can lead to bowel problems.

Learn what fiber-rich roods are.

Food intolerances and allergies

People with an intolerance or allergy to certain foods can often experience diarrhea, constipation, or other traits of abnormal poop when they consume problematic food.

For example, people with lactose intolerance often experience diarrhea if they have dairy, while those with celiac disease will have an adverse reaction to gluten.

Find out more about common food allergies.

Medical conditions

Certain conditions can cause constipation, diarrhea, or other poop abnormalities. Examples of such conditions include:

Constipation

A person may have constipation if they:

  • have difficulty emptying the large bowel
  • are straining when pooping
  • are passing less stool than usual
  • the stool is lumpy, dry, or hard

Alongside the above causes of constipation, it may also result from lifestyle or routine changes such as physical inactivity or the overuse of laxatives.

Learn more about the remedies for constipation.

A person should contact a doctor if changes to poop persist for 2 weeks or more.

People should seek immediate medical treatment if the stool is bright red, black, or a tarry substance. These symptoms suggest blood loss, which could become a medical emergency if left untreated.

How to ensure healthy bowels

To help ensure healthy bowel function and healthy poops, people can follow the tips below:

  • Eat enough fiber: Aim to get the recommended minimum daily amount of fiber, which is 22–34 grams (g) for adults, depending on age and sex.
  • Drink plenty of water: A reasonable amount is about 8 glasses (64 ounces) per day. It is especially important to stay hydrated when consuming more fiber.
  • Take probiotics: Probiotics may help restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut. Although some yogurts and drinks can also provide probiotics, these beneficial bacteria are in capsule form.
  • Try magnesium: Magnesium hydroxide often treats constipation. It is safe for most people, although doctors do not recommend it for people with renal insufficiency.
  • Lifestyle changes: This may include stopping smoking, type, and level of exercise, and anxiety management to help control a person’s bowel movements.

A well-functioning digestive system is essential for health and well-being. It also suggests that a person is eating a balanced diet.

Poop abnormalities that persist can lead to complications. For example, ongoing diarrhea can result in nutritional deficiencies or, in severe cases, malnutrition, while constipation can cause bowel obstructions.

Below are frequently asked questions relating to the different types of poop

What type of stool is concerning?

Stool types 1 and 2 indicate that a person has constipation, and stool types 6 and 7 may indicate inflammation in the bowel and possible diarrhea.

What are the seven types of stool?

The seven types of stool are:

  1. separate hard lumps
  2. a lumpy, sausage-like clump
  3. a sausage shape with cracks
  4. smooth sausage-shaped
  5. soft blobs with clear edges
  6. a mushy, ragged mass
  7. liquid

What is the healthiest type of stool?

Stool types 3 and 4 are typically considered the healthiest types and indicate proper bowel function.

A person’s poop tends to be brown, soft to firm in texture, and easy to pass. If someone experiences changes in poop, they should monitor them and consult a doctor if the issue does not resolve within 2 weeks.

To encourage bowel function, a person should eat a fiber-rich diet, exercise regularly, reduce stress, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

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