Blood and Blood Types

Every person needs a healthy supply of blood. But, not every person’s blood is exactly the same.

Human blood falls into four different blood groups: A, B, AB and O. Your blood also has what is known as an Rh factor: It either contains a certain protein or it doesn’t. (This is the positive [+] or negative [-] after your blood type.) The possible combinations create eight different blood types: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O-.

You don’t need to know your blood type to donate blood. Donating blood is a great way to find out your blood type - we’ll tell you after you donate. And, whatever your type, every donor is needed and every donation transforms lives—including your own!

Click or tap on each blood type below to learn the blood types with which it’s compatible, and the type of donation that is recommended for people with each blood type.

How common is your blood type?

Select your blood type above

32 percent of population with blood type A+

Read more about type O blood

Percentage of population with O-negative

Blood types compatible with red blood cell donation

all blood
types

Plasma donation compatible with blood types

O+O-

Recommended donation types

whole blood
Power Red

Why Matching Blood Types is Important

Blood circulates through our bodies carrying nutrients, oxygen, antibodies and other necessities of life to every cell and tissue. Blood also removes waste from our cells and has a major role in the body’s defense against infection.

When a patient needs blood, the blood donor and recipient must have compatible blood types to ensure a safe, successful transfusion. That’s why each blood type can be transfused only into people with certain other blood types.

O-negative is the universal red cell donor, which means O-negative whole blood can be transfused into all blood types. O-negative is the most in-demand blood type because it can be used in emergency and other situations where the patient’s blood type is unknown. Read more about the special qualities of type O blood.

AB-negative and AB-positive are the universal plasma donors, meaning their plasma can be given to patients with any blood type.

Read more about hematocrit and hemoglobin and how it affects blood donation.

“My childhood was interrupted by cancer for six long, extremely emotional years. I can say I knew I wasn't alone thanks to my generous blood donors.”
— JAZIEL R.