As you probably know, we all have a blood type. But do you know what makes each type unique?
While several blood group systems are used to type your blood, ABO is the most important. Your ABO type is based on the presence or absence of two antigens (A and B) on the surface of red blood cells. There are four ABO types: A, B, AB and O.
Your blood type is also determined by Rh status: Rh+ or Rh-. That leaves us with eight possible blood types:
A+ | A- |
B+ | B- |
AB+ | AB- |
O+ | O- |
Each of these eight types is unique. Blood types determine who you can give blood to and receive blood from. Which type of donation is best for you is determined by your blood type, as well as patient need. Read more to find out what makes your blood type special:
- Blood Components
- Blood Types
- Blood Type Compatibility
Whose type can you match?
Donors with type O- blood are universal red cell donors whose donations can be given to people of all blood types. Donors with types AB- and AB+ blood are universal plasma donors, while patients with type AB+ are universal red cell recipients because they can receive red cells from all types. All other donors and recipients must be safely matched, for example:
If you are | % of U.S.* | You can give to | You can receive from** |
O+ | 38% | O+ A+ B+ AB+ | O+ O- |
O- | 7% | O+ A+ B+ AB+ O- A- B- AB- | O- |
A+ | 34% | A+ AB+ | O+ A+ O- A- |
A- | 6% | A+ AB+ A- AB- | O- A- |
B+ | 9% | B+ AB+ | O+ B+ O- B- |
B- | 2% | B+ AB+ B- AB- | O- B- |
AB+ | 3% | AB+ | O+ A+ B+ AB+ O- A- B- AB- |
AB- | 1% | AB+ AB- | O- A- B- AB- |
*Percentages based on U.S. population
**Donation for red cell transfusion
Learn more
Right Type for Your Type
Check the criteria that may affect your eligibility to donate blood.
Blood donation is an essential activity. Our Bloodbanks are open.
Please be informed that any person who is unwell or with risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the last 5 days will not be allowed to enter our premises due to current COVID-19 situation.
Donor who had a positive COVID-19 PCR/ Antigen Rapid Test (ART) in the last 28 days should not visit the Bloodbank. They can come back for donation 28 days after the first positive PCR or ART result.
Find out more about the precautionary measures we have taken here.
HSA has implemented a new blood donation eligibility guideline for donors who have received a Covid-19 vaccine. Please click HERE for more information.
Please check if you are eligible to donate blood before you make an appointment as the waiting period may be different due to other causes.
Check eligibility
General eligibility criteria
To donate blood, you must:
- Be in general good health.
- Not have had any symptoms of infection e.g. sore throat, cough, runny nose or diarrhoea for at least 1 week.
- Not have had a fever in the last 4 weeks.
- Not have taken medication, herbal supplements or traditional herbal remedies for at least 3 days. If you have taken antibiotics, wait at least 1 week.
- Weigh at least 45 kg.
- Have a haemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dl for males and 12.5 g/dl for females.
It may be harmful to you or the recipients if you donate blood when you are not eligible to do so.
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Last updated: 31 Dec 2018