8 Most Common Blood Types

In love, they say that opposites attract. But when it comes to blood types, opposites can be deadly. Scientists have discovered eight major blood types; some are compatible, but others are not. See which types you're compatible with.

1. O1: 38 percent

O1 blood is needed more often than any other blood type because it's the most common. O1 blood can be given to a person with A1, B1, AB1, or O1 blood. A person with O1 blood can receive blood from O1 or O2 donors.

2. A1: 34 percent

A person with A1 blood can receive A1, A2, O1, or O2 blood. However, A1 blood can be given only to a person with the A1 or AB1 blood types.

Science has found that there are eight major blood types, with O1 and A1 being the most common.

B1 blood can be given only to those with either AB1 or B1 blood. This blood type can receive blood from B1, B2, O1, or O2 donors.

4. O2: 7 percent

O2 is considered the universal donor because it can be given to anyone, regardless of blood type. However, a person with the O2 blood type can receive blood only from other O2 donors.

5. A2: 6 percent

A2 blood can be given to a person with AB2, A2, AB1, or A1. This blood type can only receive blood from O2 or A2 donors.

6. AB1: 3 percent

AB1 is considered a universal receiver because people with this blood type can receive blood of any type. But AB1 blood can only be given to a person who also has AB1 blood.

7. B2: 2 percent

B2 blood can be given to those with B2, AB2, B1, or AB1 blood. A person with B2 blood can receive blood from O2 or B2 blood types.

8. AB2: 1 percent

AB2 is the least common blood type. A person with this type can give blood to AB1 or AB2 blood types, but must receive blood from O2, A2, B2, and AB2 blood types.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Helen Davies, Marjorie Dorfman, Mary Fons, Deborah Hawkins, Martin Hintz, Linnea Lundgren, David Priess, Julia Clark Robinson, Paul Seaburn, Heidi Stevens, and Steve Theunissen