Rarest of the 8 major types - 0.6% of US donors
AB-negative is the rarest of the 8 major blood types, found in approximately 0.6% of US donors. Like AB-positive, AB-negative people produce no anti-A or anti-B antibodies and can receive red cells from any Rh-negative donor. But most critically, AB-negative plasma donors are among the rarest and most needed contributors to the blood supply - AB plasma is universally compatible regardless of Rh type.
Antigens present
A antigen, B antigen (no Rh-D)
Antibodies produced
Anti-D only
Antigens are proteins on the surface of red blood cells. Antibodies are produced by the immune system against antigens it does not carry. When incompatible blood is transfused, antibodies bind to foreign antigens and trigger a haemolytic reaction.
Select your blood type:
Can donate red cells to:
2 compatible types
Can receive red cells from:
4 compatible types
| Population | Frequency |
|---|---|
| US blood donors (Red Cross estimate) | 0.6% |
| Global population (estimate) | 0.9% |
AB-negative is found in approximately 0.6% of US donors and about 0.9% of the global population. This makes it the rarest of the 8 common blood types. In a blood bank with 1,000 units on the shelf, you would expect fewer than 10 to be AB-negative. Blood banks must carefully manage AB-negative stocks. If you are AB-negative, your donation - whether whole blood or plasma - is extraordinarily valuable.
AB-negative individuals have both A and B antigens but lack Rh-D. From a clinical standpoint, being AB-negative means that as a recipient you can receive red cells from any Rh-negative donor (A-, B-, O-, AB-) - giving you a relatively broader Rh-negative pool compared to more restricted types like O-negative (which can only receive from O-). The dual role as both a relatively flexible recipient and a critical plasma donor makes AB-negative individuals uniquely valuable to blood banks.
Note: Associations between blood type and disease risk are from observational studies and are not deterministic. They do not change your clinical management. Cite any specific associations with your clinician.
AB-negative mothers are Rh-negative. If the father is Rh-positive, the baby may be Rh-positive, creating risk of Rh sensitisation. Anti-D immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) prophylaxis is offered routinely and is highly effective. Being AB-type means your baby will inherit either A or B from you, but ABO incompatibility between mother and baby is rarely clinically significant. The key concern for AB-negative mothers is Rh status - ensure your obstetrician is aware and anti-D prophylaxis is arranged.
Full Rh factor pregnancy guide +AB-negative organ donors can give organs to AB-positive or AB-negative recipients only. As an AB-negative recipient, you can receive organs from A-, B-, O-, or AB- donors. This gives AB-negative patients a reasonable Rh-negative donor pool to choose from. The rarity of AB-negative blood type overall means longer wait times on transplant lists are a real possibility. Living donor evaluation is strongly recommended.
ABO compatibility for organ transplant follows the same rules as transfusion - AB- can donate organs to: AB+, AB-. However, HLA tissue matching and crossmatch testing are also required, and sensitisation from prior transfusions or pregnancies can restrict compatibility further.
Full organ transplant guide +AB-negative plasma, like AB-positive plasma, is universally compatible. AB plasma contains neither anti-A nor anti-B antibodies, making it safe for any patient. AB-negative plasma donors are in extremely high demand because they are so rare. The Rh factor does not affect plasma compatibility. If you are AB-negative, plasma donation is arguably your most valuable donation - consider becoming a regular plasma donor (every 28 days).
Note: Plasma compatibility rules are the inverse of red-cell rules because plasma carries antibodies, not antigens. AB plasma is the universal plasma donor.
Plasma compatibility chart +