For Parents & Families

Diarrhea Stool Colors: What They Can Tell You

What different stool colors mean during diarrhea, and when a color is worth calling your provider about.

Light Brown or Yellow-Tan

  • Most common during viral diarrhea
  • Often loose or watery, sometimes with mucus
  • Usually not concerning if your child is otherwise acting well

Bright Yellow

  • Common in babies and toddlers, especially those who are breastfed
  • Can also appear with fast gut movement (everything moving too quickly to digest properly)

Green

  • Caused by bile moving through the gut too fast
  • Common during diarrhea, especially if your child is eating less or vomiting
  • Not dangerous on its own

Red or Bloody

  • May indicate inflammation, bacterial infection, or a small tear from straining
Call your provider.

Black or Very Dark

  • Could mean digested blood from higher in the digestive tract
Needs medical evaluation, especially if your child looks pale or tired.
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