B positive blood type
About 1 in 12 Americans is B positive, with higher shares among people of Asian and African descent.
8.5%
about 1 in 12 people · #3 of 8
What B positive means
B positive red cells carry the B antigen and the Rh D antigen; the plasma holds anti-A antibodies.
B is much more common in parts of Asia: in India, B positive is roughly as common as O positive, around one in three people in several surveys.
A B positive person can receive red cells from B+, B−, O+ and O−.
Plasma
B+ plasma can be given to O+, O-, B+, B-. A B+ patient can receive plasma from B+, B-, AB+, AB-. Plasma rules run opposite to red cells because plasma carries antibodies, not antigens.
Best way to donate
Whole blood or double red cells. B positive red cells help B+ and AB+ patients.
Genetics
ABO genotype BB or BO; Rh genotype DD or Dd. Want to know what blood type your children could have? Use the blood type calculator.
Pregnancy
A B positive mother does not need anti-D (RhoGAM). Read the Rh factor guide.
B positive blood type FAQs
Who can B positive donate to?
B+ and AB+ patients.
Who can B positive receive from?
B+, B−, O+ and O− red cells.
Is B positive rare?
Not really: it is the third most common type in the US at about 8–9%.