How to tell the difference between contractions and normal cramps?

Since about 10:30am (now 1pm) I have had mild cramps similar to needing to use the bathroom. But they have also been tightening up my stomach. (Like how Braxton hicks do, but I almost always get short of breathe during BHs and that hasn't been happening)

I'm not really concerned since they're not getting stronger and they're not becoming regular. But I was wondering how you could tell the difference during previous pregnancies! I have endometriosis, so my normal period cramps have caused me to almost black out from pain and to throw up on numerous occasions. So my threshold for period cramps are pretty high honestly and I'm afraid I won't understand if they're real or not until I'm getting close to the end! Lol

I'm still keeping track of them just incase, even though I highly doubt they will progress!