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Blood Types

What is the most common blood type?

The approximate distribution of blood types in the US population is as follows. Distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups:

O-positive 38%
O-negative 7%
A-positive 34%
A-negative 6%
B-positive 9%
B-negative 2%
AB-positive 3%
AB-negative 1%

In an emergency, anyone can receive type O red blood cells, and type AB individuals can receive red blood cells of any ABO type. Therefore, people with type O blood are known as "universal donors," and those with type AB blood are known as "universal recipients." In addition, AB plasma donors can give to all blood types.