We divide the tombstones stećci into slabs, crates, gabled, cruciform, pillars and amorphous tombstones.

Each of these basic forms may have several versions, which are reflected in relation to the height of the monuments themselves, the presence of the plinth or some other typo logical features.

These can reflect the position of the deceased on the social ladder, their property status (some people could not afford to tombstone carving). Sometimes certain forms characterize the initial or final stages of the development and use of stećak tombstones.

Slabs

Slabs are one of the most numerous and widespread forms of stećak tombstones. According to the latest official records, they account for 24% of the total number of stećak tombstones. It is quite a large number and puts them second in number by form.

By its basic appearance, the slab has the form of a regular parallelepiped. These include monuments that are usually up to 30 centimeters high. In rare cases, slightly higher monuments can be defined as the slabs. For such a designation, the other two dimensions are important - the length and width of the monument.

Crates

The crate is the most common form, accounting for more than 60% of the total number of stećak tombstones. It is chiseled just like the board, except that are basically more than 30 centimeters high. If its height is over 80 centimeters, then it is considered a tall crate, mostly widespread in the territory of Herzegovina.

Through the genesis of the crate height, one can observe the very genesis of their shapes from the first ones, which were only slightly higher than the slabs, down to the monumental crates, whose height sometimes reached over two meters. Over time, they were decorated, and many epitaphs slowly began to appear on them.

Gabled

The gabled are the tombstones stećci where the upper surface ends in the form of a double - sided roof or a gable. Hence, they are named gabled. Formed that way, they are irresistibly reminiscent of a home, an eternal home that our ancient ancestors are saving for their lives or placing them above an eternal resting place.

The gabled are not as numerous as slabs or crates, but are nevertheless the most decorated monuments and have the most inscriptions on them. They are regularly beautifully and elegantly carved and trimmed. The monumental, harmony, simplicity, elegance and nobility of gabled tombstones stećci reached the pinnacle of the medieval sepulchral art of the old Bosnian state.

Vertical

There are two basic forms of vertical stećci tombstones - crosses and pillars. The pillars are the most reminiscent of slabs and crates vertically planted in the ground. To a certain extent, they are reminiscent of similarly placed ancient stele, decorated with embossed figural representations. Planted in the ground, they have the appearance of a regular parallelepiped whose tip can be completed in many ways.

The simplest and most common is a straight finish, symmetrical to the end planted in the ground - just like a vertical slab. Some end up in the form of a bulging or recessed arch. A good part of the pillars have a roof in the form of double - sided roof or a gable. Some end up in the form of a pyramid, sometimes with a circular end.

Cruciform

According to the latest official records, the cruciform stećak tombstones are the rarest form of all stećak tombstones. Only 336 are registered, which is only 0.5% of their total number.

They are present in only in two regions of today's Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most of them are located in Herzegovina in the surroundings of Gacko, Bileća and Nevesinje. In Bosnia, they are mostly in the surroundings of Travnik, Jajce and Zenica, where they have developed their specific form.

A cruciform is a type of stećak that has the shape of a cross, as the name implies. With their appearance, they mark the late phase of the tombstones stećci development, as well as the phase of the transition to forms that will become dominant and remain in use until today. According to some assumptions, they evolved from a pillar with a gradual emphasis on the "head" and then lateral arms.

Amorphous monuments

The stećak tombstones often include monuments that are barely or not carved at all, and as such placed on the tomb. The genesis, development and disappearance of the stećak tombstones can be traced through them, since such monuments in the home territory often appear in the oldest and youngest stages of the necropolis development. We call them amorphous monuments.