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Blood Type Compatibility: Who Can Donate to Whom
Matching the right blood type is essential for a safe transfusion. Here is a simple guide to which blood types can give and receive red blood cells.
The eight blood types
Your blood type is set by two things: the ABO group (A, B, AB or O) and the Rhesus (Rh) factor, which is either positive (+) or negative (−). Together they make eight types: A+, A−, B+, B−, AB+, AB−, O+ and O−.
Red blood cell compatibility chart
This chart shows which recipient blood types each donor can safely give red blood cells to.
| Donor type | Can donate red cells to |
|---|---|
| O− | Everyone (universal donor) |
| O+ | O+, A+, B+, AB+ |
| A− | A−, A+, AB−, AB+ |
| A+ | A+, AB+ |
| B− | B−, B+, AB−, AB+ |
| B+ | B+, AB+ |
| AB− | AB−, AB+ |
| AB+ | AB+ only |
The two "special" blood types
- O‑negative is the universal donor. O− red cells can be given to a person of any blood type, which makes O− especially valuable in emergencies when there is no time to test.
- AB‑positive is the universal recipient. A person with AB+ blood can receive red cells from any blood type.
What about plasma?
Plasma compatibility works in the opposite direction to red cells: AB is the universal plasma donor, while O can receive plasma from anyone. For most donations and emergency requests, though, it is red‑cell matching that matters most.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Blood is always cross‑matched and screened by laboratory staff before any transfusion. Always follow the guidance of qualified medical professionals.
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