Blood Donation Compatibility Chart: Who Can Give to Whom?
Updated 2026-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
Unlike personality charts, blood compatibility is real science, and getting it wrong can be dangerous. Hospitals always test and cross-match blood before a transfusion. This chart explains the basic rules.
Red blood cell compatibility
| Your type | Can receive red cells from | Can give red cells to |
|---|---|---|
| O− | O− | Everyone |
| O+ | O+, O− | O+, A+, B+, AB+ |
| A− | A−, O− | A−, A+, AB−, AB+ |
| A+ | A+, A−, O+, O− | A+, AB+ |
| B− | B−, O− | B−, B+, AB−, AB+ |
| B+ | B+, B−, O+, O− | B+, AB+ |
| AB− | AB−, A−, B−, O− | AB−, AB+ |
| AB+ | Everyone | AB+ |
Why it works this way
Your red blood cells carry markers called antigens: A, B, both or neither (O). Your plasma carries antibodies against the antigens you don’t have. A type A person has anti-B antibodies, so type B red cells would be attacked.
- O negative red cells have no A, B or RhD antigen, so almost anyone can receive them. That makes O− the “universal donor” for red cells and the type emergency teams reach for first.
- AB positive people have no anti-A or anti-B antibodies and are RhD positive, so they can receive red cells of any type: the “universal recipient”.
Plasma is the other way round
Plasma carries the antibodies, so the rules flip:
| Your type | Can give plasma to |
|---|---|
| O | O only |
| A | A, O |
| B | B, O |
| AB | Everyone (universal plasma donor) |
Should you donate?
Blood services almost always need O− and rarer types. Eligibility rules (age, weight, travel, health) differ by country, so check your national blood service. Donating is also the easiest way to find out your own blood type.
This page is general information, not medical advice.