How often should you poop?

For adults, anywhere from three times a day to once every three days is seen as normal. What matters more than the number is what's usual for you, and whether that changes.

By The family behind Stool Log · Reviewed 5 November 2026

The usual range

There is no single right number. For adults, anywhere from three bowel movements a day to one every three days is seen as normal.¹ Some people go at the same time every morning; others vary from day to day.

Not having a poo at least 3 times in the last week is one of the signs of constipation, along with dry, hard or lumpy poo, straining, and feeling you haven't fully emptied your bowels.²

Why your own pattern matters more

People have different bowel patterns, and only you know what's normal for you.³ If you've gone once every two days all your life and feel fine, that's your normal. If you've always gone daily and now go less often than usual, that change is worth noticing, even if the new number is still within the range above.²

That's why keeping a short stool diary for a couple of weeks is useful: it shows your own baseline, so a change stands out.

What changes how often you go

The most common causes of constipation are everyday ones:²

• What you eat. Not eating enough fibre, from fruit, vegetables and cereals.
• What you drink. Not drinking enough fluids.
• Moving. Not moving enough, and long periods sitting or lying down.
• Routine. Changing your diet or daily routine, and often ignoring the urge to go.
• Medicines. Some medicines cause constipation as a side effect, such as opioid painkillers.² See our guide on constipation on GLP-1 medicines.
• Pregnancy. Constipation is common during pregnancy and after giving birth.
• Stress. Stress, anxiety or depression.

How firm matters too

How often is only half of it. The Bristol stool chart sorts stools into seven types, from separate hard lumps to watery. Dry, hard or lumpy poo is one of the signs of constipation, even if you go often.²

The numbers here are for adults. For babies and children, ask your doctor what to expect. Our guide for parents covers keeping a poop diary for your child.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or nurse about your own symptoms.