What is IDDSI?
IDDSI is a framework that gives a common way to describe food textures and drink thickness for people with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). It has 8 levels, numbered 0 to 7. Drinks are measured at Levels 0 to 4 and foods at Levels 3 to 7, so Levels 3 and 4 appear in both.
The IDDSI levels
| Level | Drinks | Foods |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Thin | |
| 1 | Slightly Thick | |
| 2 | Mildly Thick | |
| 3 | Moderately Thick | Liquidised |
| 4 | Extremely Thick | Pureed |
| 5 | Minced & Moist | |
| 6 | Soft & Bite-Sized | |
| 7 | Easy to Chew / Regular |
Testing drinks and foods
IDDSI has simple testing methods so you can check a drink or food is at the right level. For drinks, the IDDSI Flow Test uses a 10 ml syringe: the level is defined by how much liquid is left in the syringe after 10 seconds. The flow test is used for Levels 0 to 3. Thicker liquids and foods are checked with other IDDSI tests, such as the fork drip and spoon tilt tests.
Always use the official IDDSI descriptors and testing methods, available free from iddsi.org.
Using the poster
- Display it in kitchens, serveries and dining areas as a quick reminder of the level names and numbers.
- Use it in team meetings and induction to talk through each level.
- Always check the person’s care plan and their speech and language therapist’s recommendations for the level they need.
Download and printPoster (PDF). Free to use in your service.
Download the PDFThis is a quick-reference resource. Always follow the person’s care plan, your organisation’s policies and procedures, and current national guidance. The IDDSI Framework and Descriptors are © The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative 2019 @ https://iddsi.org/, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Sharealike 4.0 License.
Sources (checked 16 September 2026): IDDSI: the framework; IDDSI: What is the IDDSI Flow Test?.
