Not all blood is alike. Learn about blood typing and the rarest and most common types of blood and how they can impact your blood donation.

A blood type (also known as a blood group) is a classification of blood based on the presence and absence of antibodies and inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs).

There are four main blood types: A, B, AB and O. Blood bank specialists determine your blood type based on whether you have antigen A or B on your red blood cells.

Dec 20, 2025 · Blood types A, B, AB, and O affect transfusion compatibility. Blood type O-negative is the universal donor, while AB-positive is the universal recipient.

Dec 7, 2025 · There are eight main blood types, defined by the ABO system and the Rh factor. Type O-negative blood is a universal donor, and AB positive blood is a universal recipient. During pregnancy, …

Nov 28, 2023 · Blood types are a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens determine the body’s immune response to …

Feb 19, 2025 · Learn what determines your blood type and why it's important. Understand blood type compatibility, donation guidelines, and the need for safe transfusions.

Sep 9, 2025 · What determines someone’s blood type? Our different blood types are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens (unique substances) on the surface of our red blood cells.

Nov 18, 2025 · Just like your skin tone and eye color, your blood type is something you’re born with. It runs in your family and is determined by your parents’ blood types.

Learn more about how your blood type is determined; get fascinating facts about each blood type; and get answers and insights to some of the most frequently asked questions about blood types from our …