Kidney stone symptoms: what to watch for
Kidney stones don't always cause symptoms — but when they do, the signs are usually recognizable. This page lists the common ones plus the warning signs that mean you should not wait at home.
After the diagnosis — track oxalate and water free
Get urgent care if you have:
- Fever or chills with stone-like pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Severe pain you cannot control
- Blood in your urine
- Trouble urinating, or no urine
Common kidney stone symptoms
- Sharp pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen
Often one-sided, in the flank below the ribs, sometimes moving toward the groin as the stone travels.
- Pain in waves (renal colic)
Comes and goes rather than a steady ache. Position changes usually don't help.
- Blood in the urine
Urine may look pink, red, or brown. Sometimes blood is only visible under a microscope.
- Nausea or vomiting
Common with severe stone pain. Persistent vomiting needs urgent evaluation.
- Painful or frequent urination
Especially when the stone is close to or has reached the bladder.
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Can suggest infection. Combined with stone pain, this is an emergency.
- Fever or chills
Fever with kidney stone symptoms can mean a blocked, infected kidney. Get urgent care.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common kidney stone symptoms?
The most common symptoms are sharp pain in the back or side below the ribs, pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin, blood in the urine (which can look pink, red, or brown), nausea, and frequent or painful urination.
Can you have a kidney stone without pain?
Yes. Small stones that stay in the kidney often cause no symptoms and may only be found incidentally on imaging done for another reason. Pain usually starts when a stone moves into the ureter.
Is blood in urine always from a kidney stone?
No. Blood in the urine has many possible causes, including infection, kidney disease, and other conditions. Visible or microscopic blood in the urine should always be evaluated by a clinician.
If you've had a stone before
People who've passed one stone are at higher risk of forming another. Most prevention plans focus on hydration and, for calcium oxalate stones, watching dietary oxalate. What to do after a kidney stone →
Educational only — not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk to a clinician about your symptoms.