Blood Group Compatibility Chart
Which blood groups can give blood to which patients, in one simple chart.
Red cells (whole blood and PRBC): who can receive from whom
| Patient's blood group | Can receive red cells from | Can donate red cells to |
|---|---|---|
| O− | O− | Everyone (universal donor) |
| 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 (universal recipient) | AB+ |
Whenever possible, hospitals give patients blood of their own group. The other compatible groups are used when the patient's own group is not available. Every unit is cross-matched with the patient's blood at the blood bank before it is given.
Plasma: the chart works the other way round
For plasma (FFP), the rules are reversed: AB plasma can be given to patients of any blood group, while O plasma can only be given to O patients.
- O patients: plasma from O, A, B or AB donors
- A patients: plasma from A or AB donors
- B patients: plasma from B or AB donors
- AB patients: plasma from AB donors only
Platelets (RDP and SDP)
Platelets are best given from a donor of the same blood group. For single donor platelets (SDP, also called apheresis platelets), the hospital usually asks for a donor of the patient's exact group. Rh negative patients, especially girls and women who may have children later, are given Rh negative platelets whenever possible.
O negative and the rare Bombay blood group
About 1 in 20 people in India is Rh negative, so O−, A−, B− and AB− donors are hard to find in an emergency.
The Bombay blood group (hh, sometimes written Oh) is rarer still. It looks like group O in a routine test, but a Bombay patient can only receive blood from another Bombay donor. If you have this blood group, please register as a donor: your blood can save someone no one else can.
Need a donor of a specific group?
Send a free request with the patient's blood group and the component the doctor has asked for. We alert matching voluntary donors near the hospital on WhatsApp within minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Which blood group is the universal donor?
O negative. O negative red cells can be given to patients of any blood group, which is why O negative donors are so valuable in emergencies.
Which blood group is the universal recipient?
AB positive. AB positive patients can receive red cells from donors of any ABO and Rh group.
Can an O positive person donate to an A positive patient?
Yes. O positive red cells can be given to O positive, A positive, B positive and AB positive patients.
What is the Bombay blood group?
A rare blood group (hh) that shows up as O in routine tests. People with it can receive blood only from other Bombay blood group donors, so it is important to tell the blood bank early.
This page is general information for India, based on the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) guidelines. It is not medical advice: the doctor at the blood bank always makes the final decision.