What does it mean if my poop floats?

Floating poop is often normal and harmless. The most common reasons are extra gas in the stool or a high-fiber diet, which can make stool less dense so it floats.

Sometimes floating stool can happen when your body is not digesting or absorbing fat well. This is called steatorrhea. Fatty stools are often bulky, greasy, pale or yellowish, very smelly, and hard to flush.

Possible causes of fat malabsorption include celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis, other pancreatic problems, or problems with bile flow/gallbladder function.

You should see a healthcare provider if floating stool happens often or keeps going on, or if you also have weight loss, severe belly pain, blood in the stool, pale or greasy stools, or ongoing diarrhea.