Light brown and dark brown poop mixed

Your poop (stool) can reveal information about your health. Your diet can lead to typically temporary changes in poop color or shape, but so can a range of health conditions that cause poop to be pale or dark, turn green, become runny, or contain mucus.

Keeping an eye on the color, shape, and texture of poop can help you to know when there is a change. For example, the Bristol chart illustrated below is a tool that healthcare providers use to describe poop.

When changes persist over time, or you also have symptoms like pain and bleeding, contact your provider for a diagnosis.

Stool color chart for adults

What Does the Color of Your Poop Mean?

Normal, healthy stool ranges from various shades of brown to greenish brown. This may vary if you eat lots of colorful foods.

Unhealthy stool can look like any poop color change that can't be tied to your diet, and that is a reason to call your healthcare provider.

Poop color that suddenly changes without an obvious reason may indicate an issue, especially if you have other unusual sympt

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