Blood Type Chart
The Blood Type Chart is a health reference tool covering blood type chart, blood type compatibility chart, blood types chart, blood type donation chart. Use the chart below to look up values instantly. Printable and downloadable versions are available on this page.
Blood Type Compatibility Chart — Transfusions
| Blood Type | Can Donate Red Blood Cells To | Can Receive Red Blood Cells From |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | A+, AB+ | A+, A-, O+, O- |
| A- | A+, A-, AB+, AB- | A-, O- |
| B+ | B+, AB+ | B+, B-, O+, O- |
| B- | B+, B-, AB+, AB- | B-, O- |
| AB+ | AB+ only | All blood types — universal recipient |
| AB- | AB+, AB- | A-, B-, AB-, O- |
| O+ | A+, B+, AB+, O+ | O+, O- |
| O- | All blood types — universal donor | O- only |
Source: American Red Cross and American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) compatibility guidelines
Blood Type and Rh Factor Reference
| Blood Type | Antigens on Red Blood Cells | Antibodies in Plasma | Approximate Prevalence in US Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| O+ | No A or B antigens. Rh+ (D antigen present) | Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies | 37.4% — most common |
| O- | No A, B, or Rh antigens | Anti-A, Anti-B, and Anti-Rh antibodies | 6.6% |
| A+ | A antigens. Rh+ | Anti-B antibodies | 35.7% |
| A- | A antigens. No Rh antigen | Anti-B and Anti-Rh antibodies | 6.3% |
| B+ | B antigens. Rh+ | Anti-A antibodies | 8.5% |
| B- | B antigens. No Rh antigen | Anti-A and Anti-Rh antibodies | 1.5% |
| AB+ | A and B antigens. Rh+ | No ABO antibodies | 3.4% |
| AB- | A and B antigens. No Rh antigen | No ABO antibodies. Has Anti-Rh | 0.6% — rarest |
Source: American Red Cross US blood type frequency data
Blood Type Inheritance Chart
Blood type is inherited from both parents — each parent contributes one of their two alleles (gene copies) to the child.
| Parent 1 Blood Type | Parent 2 Blood Type | Possible Child Blood Types |
|---|---|---|
| O | O | O only |
| O | A | O or A |
| O | B | O or B |
| O | AB | A or B |
| A | A | O or A |
| A | B | O, A, B, or AB — all four types possible |
| A | AB | A, B, or AB |
| B | B | O or B |
| B | AB | A, B, or AB |
| AB | AB | A, B, or AB |
Standard Mendelian ABO blood type genetics
Blood Type Plasma Compatibility
Plasma compatibility is the reverse of red blood cell compatibility — AB plasma can be given to any blood type and O plasma can only be given to type O.
| Plasma Donor Blood Type | Can Donate Plasma To |
|---|---|
| AB | A, B, AB, and O — all blood types (universal plasma donor) |
| A | A and O |
| B | B and O |
| O | O only |
Source: American Red Cross plasma donation guidelines
Blood Type Compatibility Checker
Select a donor and recipient blood type to instantly see transfusion and organ donation compatibility results.
Select a donor and recipient blood type to instantly check transfusion and organ donation compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the universal blood donor type?
O negative (O-) is the universal red blood cell donor — it can be given to any blood type in emergencies when there is no time to cross-match. AB positive is the universal plasma donor.
What is the rarest blood type?
AB negative (AB-) is the rarest ABO/Rh blood type at approximately 0.6 percent of the US population. Among all blood group systems the Rh null blood type (no Rh antigens of any kind) is the rarest — found in fewer than 50 people worldwide and called golden blood.
Can two O blood type parents have an AB child?
No — two O blood type parents can only have O blood type children. Both parents contribute an O allele giving the child only OO which is blood type O.
What does Rh positive and Rh negative mean?
Rh refers to the Rhesus factor — specifically the D antigen on red blood cells. Rh positive (+) means the D antigen is present. Rh negative (-) means it is absent. This is the second most important blood group system after ABO.
What blood type is the universal recipient?
AB positive (AB+) is the universal recipient for red blood cell transfusions — it has both A and B antigens and the Rh antigen so its immune system does not attack any red blood cell type. However in practice blood is still cross-matched before transfusion whenever possible.
What is the most common blood type?
O positive (O+) is the most common blood type in the US at approximately 37.4 percent of the population. It is the most in-demand blood type at blood banks because O+ red cells can be given to all Rh-positive patients (roughly 85 percent of the population).
Why is O negative blood so important?
O negative blood can be transfused to any patient regardless of blood type in emergencies before cross-matching is possible. Emergency rooms and trauma centres keep O negative blood on hand for unidentified patients or when there is no time to test.
What is a Rh incompatibility in pregnancy?
Rh incompatibility occurs when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive baby — if foetal blood enters the mother's circulation her immune system may produce anti-Rh antibodies that can attack Rh-positive red blood cells in future pregnancies. This is prevented with Rh immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) injections given during and after pregnancy to Rh-negative mothers.