๐ฉธ Blood Type Compatibility Chart
This chart shows general ABO/Rh transfusion compatibility for educational reference. Actual transfusions require formal testing at a medical facility (blood typing and crossmatching).
Select an ABO (A, B, O, AB) and Rh (+/-) blood type to see who that type can donate to and receive from for a red-cell transfusion, based on the widely-known standard compatibility chart. This is an educational reference โ actual transfusions always require formal testing at a medical facility.
How to use
- Select your blood type.
- The blood types it can donate to and receive from are listed.
How the calculation works
This is a standard compatibility chart showing, for red blood cell transfusion, which ABO/Rh blood types each type can donate to and receive from. Red blood cells carry antigens that define blood type: type A has A antigen, type B has B antigen, AB has both and O has neither. People with the Rh(D) antigen are Rh+, and those without it are Rhโ. Plasma contains antibodies against antigens a person lacks, and transfusing incompatible red cells triggers a severe reaction in which those antibodies destroy the cells. So red cells must not carry any antigen the recipient lacks. O Rhโ, with no antigens, can potentially donate to every type, and AB Rh+, with all of them, can potentially receive from every type.
Worked example
A Rh+ Can donate to: A+, AB+ Can receive from: Oโ, O+, Aโ, A+ O Rhโ Can donate to: all eight types Can receive from: Oโ only About 0.5% of people in Japan (1 in 200) are Rhโ, so Rhโ blood is often in short supply.
Things to be aware of
- This chart is for red cell transfusion. For plasma the relationships are reversed (AB plasma can be given to every type).
- Except in emergencies, hospitals transfuse the same blood type, and cross-matching and other tests are always done first.
- There are many blood group systems beyond ABO and Rh, and some people have rare antibodies.
FAQ
Why can type O donate to everyone?
Type O red blood cells lack both the A and B antigens, so they're less likely to trigger an antibody reaction in the recipient, making O (especially O-) the "universal donor" in emergencies.
Why can type AB receive from everyone?
Type AB plasma lacks both anti-A and anti-B antibodies, so it doesn't react against A, B, or O red blood cells, making AB the "universal recipient".
Can I rely on this tool alone for an actual transfusion?
No โ this is a general educational reference chart. Actual transfusions require formal testing at a medical facility, including blood typing and crossmatching. Always consult a medical professional for medical decisions.