Blood Types

Blood types are inherited and determine who you can give blood to and receive blood from. The type of blood donation that is best for you is determined by your blood type, as well as patient need.

What Determines Blood Type?

What makes blood types different? There are four major blood groups determined by the absence or presence of specific proteins called antigens, found on the surface of red blood cells and antibodies in the plasma. You’ve probably heard of people being Rh Positive or Negative as well. In addition to the A and B antigens, there is a protein called the Rh factor, which can be either present (+) or absent (–), creating the 8 most common blood types (O+, O-, A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-). Each blood type is unique and special. These types must be properly matched for a blood transfusion to work.

Don’t know your blood type? You can find out when you donate!

Blood Type Facts

Explore each blood type to learn more about its characteristics, including who can receive transfusions from this blood type and which type of blood donation is most impactful.

dropgraphic_0_50

39% of the population

O+, AB+, A+, and B+ can receive O+ donations

Super Reds: most impactful donation

dropgraphic_0-_50

 9% of the population

Universal blood type, all 8 blood types can receive O-

Used on helicopters for immediate use.

dropgraphic_a_50

30% of the population 

AB+ and A+ can receive A+ donations

Platelets: most impactful donation

dropgraphic_a-_50

6% of the population

 AB+, AB-, A+, and A- can receive A- donations

Super Reds: most impactful donation

dropgraphic_b_50

9% of the population

 AB+ and B+ can receive B+ donations

Platelets: most impactful donation

dropgraphic_b-_50

2% of the population

 AB+, AB-, B+, and B- can receive B- donations

Super Reds: most impactful donation

dropgraphic_ab_50

4% of the population

 AB+ can receive AB+ donations

Plasma and Platelets: most impactful donation

dropgraphic_ab-_50

1% of the population

 AB+ and AB- can receive AB- donations

Plasma and Platelets: most impactful donation

Blood Type Rarity

The most common blood types are type O+ (39% if the U.S. population) and type A+ (30% of the population). But certain blood types are extremely rare!

  • 1% of the population has AB- blood type
  • 2% of the population has B- blood type.
  • 6% of the population has A- blood type
  • 9% of the population has O- blood type. The universal type that can be transfused for any need.

whocanreceiveblood_chart_allbloodtypes

Blood Types and Transfusions

Antigens are proteins on the surface of your red blood cells. Antibodies are proteins in your plasma that your body makes after you’ve been exposed to a “foreign” antigen or other such item (such as a virus.) 

As part of an immune response, the antibody will latch on to the foreign antigen and destroy the entire cell! This is why it’s important to recognize which antigens and antibodies are present in both the donor AND patient when planning a blood transfusion. The following chart shows which donor blood types can give blood to each recipient blood type.