A large variety of hysteresis shapes is observed in the suspended-sediment concentration-discharge relationship. The analysis of such forms encompasses two main axes; a qualitative classification and a quantitative description. In this study, a new automated procedure is presented to facilitate hysteresis loop analysis. The classification is based on a numerical transformation to distinguish the combination of the 3 behaviors exhibited by a hysteresis loop (Linear, Clockwise, Anticlockwise) whereby the hysteresis shape and class are identified. In accordance, the hysteresis loop is quantitatively described in a partial format using normalized and real scale metrics. As proof of concept, the method was tested on 314 suspended sediment-discharge events issued from 9 USGS stations from 4 different regions to ensure a wide variety of shapes. The automated classification identified 32 different shapes. Partial description was found to provide more insight into the different phases of sediment transport in combined shapes such as the figure of eight. Real scale quantification linked each hysteresis behavior to its natural impact. The approach was found to be highly compatible with a large variety of data types so that it can be generalized to other relationships found to produce hysteresis loops.