• Digestive Disorders

An Essential Guide to the Different Types of Poop

Medically reviewed and edited by Heather Hanono, FNP

Although it may be a sensitive subject, the characteristics of your stool can offer valuable insights into your overall health and well-being.

From the color and consistency to the frequency and shape, it’s important to understand how your poop can change.

This knowledge is essential for knowing when to make simple lifestyle changes or seek emergency medical attention.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the characteristics of healthy poop and the meaning of various types of stool to help you gain a better understanding of your digestive health.

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What Does Healthy Poop Look Like?

Healthy poop may look different for everyone, but there are a few common characteristics you can use as a guide. Let’s take a look at what these are:

Color

Healthy poop typically ranges from light to dark brown in color, but the exact shade can vary depending on your diet.

The combination of stomach bile and bilirubin — a pigmented compound formed when red blood cells break down in the body — is what gives poop this coloration.

Any colors outside of the brown range may indicate an underlying health issue that should be assessed by a doctor.

Shape

The shape of a healthy poop is usually described as a sausage — smooth and soft.

This shape facilitates easy passage through the rectum during a bowel movement.

Size

Size can vary widely, but healthy poop should be substantial enough to pass easily and clear the rectum in one complete movement.

There is no specific size that’s considered normal, but passing consistently hard lumps that are difficult to clear may indicate digestive issues.

Consistency

Healthy poop is usually soft and easy to pass but able to hold its shape, meaning it shouldn’t be too hard or watery.

Hard stools may indicate dehydration, while liquid poops may indicate diarrhea or malabsorption issues.

Frequency

The frequency of bowel movements can vary from person to person, but a healthy range is generally between three times a day to three times per week.

What Do Different Types of Poop Indicate About Your Health?

Bristol stool chart

The Bristol stool chart is an indicator of how and why different poops look or feel a certain way.

It’s based on a research study conducted in 1992 and is still used today to simplify understanding of bowel movements. We’ve broken down the chart in the table below:

Color guide

The color of your poop is typically influenced by your diet and the amount of bile produced in the liver. You can use the following guidelines to determine if your stool color is abnormal:

Green

Hints of green in your poop are normal, but if your stool has completely changed color, it could be caused by one of two factors.

Firstly, you may be eating lots of green foods — like spinach — that are coloring your poop.

Secondly, your stools may be passing through your digestive system too fast. If you haven’t made any dietary changes and notice green poop, it’s wise to make an appointment with your doctor.

Yellow

A greasy, foul-smelling stool that is yellow in color usually indicates that your diet contains too much fat.

Additionally, yellow poop could also indicate a malabsorption disorder — such as celiac disease — where your body isn’t digesting nutrients effectively.

Bright yellow poop may also be a sign of a condition called giardiasis, which is caused by an internal parasite.

You can develop this condition by drinking contaminated water or by coming into contact with someone who already has giardiasis.

Black or dark red

Licorice, iron supplements, or bismuth medications — like Pepto-Bismol — may all cause black stool.

This color poop is cause for concern if you haven’t consumed any of these items, as it could indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Dark red poop can indicate the same issue and usually requires immediate medical attention.

However, consuming foods like beets, cranberries, red gelatine, or tomato juice can also turn poop red.

Very light or clay-colored

If your stool is a chalky or clay-colored shade, it may indicate a lack of bile — the digestive fluid produced by the liver and gallbladder.

Producing light-colored stools could be a sign that the bile ducts in the body are blocked and this requires immediate medical attention.

Pale poop could also be a side-effect of certain antidiarrheal medications.

Floating poop

Floating poop is usually nothing to worry about and it’s often caused by a high-fiber diet. This can lead to gas in the stool, which is what makes it float.

However, if your poop is consistently floating and it’s accompanied by an unpleasant odor, it may indicate malabsorption or an issue with the pancreas.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

While variations in your stool can be normal, there are specific circumstances where you should consult your doctor for a professional opinion. These include:

• Persistent changes in bowel habits: If you experience a sudden and persistent change in the consistency, frequency, or color of your stool that lasts for more than a couple of weeks, consult your doctor. This also includes chronic diarrhea, constipation, or a change in the size and shape of your stool that doesn’t seem to improve.

• Blood in stool: While blood in your stool might be from something benign — like hemorrhoids or dietary changes — it could also signify a more severe condition such as colorectal cancer.

• Persistent pain or discomfort: Ongoing pain, discomfort, or bloating in the abdomen — especially if accompanied by weight loss or fatigue — can be a sign of digestive tract issues that require medical attention. If you experience persistent pain while passing a stool, see your doctor.

• Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without trying could be a sign of various health conditions, including digestive diseases — like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — or cancer. If you notice a significant drop in your weight without changes to your diet or exercise habits, seek medical advice.

Where Can You Learn More About Maintaining Bowel Health?

If you’re concerned about your stool or want to know more about bowel health, LifeMD is here to help.

A team of medical professionals can assist you with information and provide guidance on maintaining healthy bowel movements and avoiding further issues.

Make an appointment with LifeMD today to learn more about bowel health care — all from the comfort of your home.

Heather Hanono, FNP

Heather is a dedicated Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with experience in urgent care, primary care, emergency medicine, and men's health. A South Florida native, she is bilingual in English and Spanish. Heather completed her Master's in Family Nurse Practitioner at Nova Southeastern University. She is passionate about building trustful relationships with her patients while promoting health and wellness. In her free time, Heather enjoys spending time with her daughter and family, going on vacation, and shopping.

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