Who can give blood

Most people can give blood. You can give blood if you:

  • are fit and healthy
  • weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs and 25 stone, or 50kg and 158kg
  • are aged between 17 and 66 (or 70 if you have given blood before)
  • are over 70 and have given a full blood donation in the last two years

Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice

Please keep donating, particularly if you are:

  • male - men can donate more often than women
  • black - Ro blood is needed and is a common type for black donors
  • O negative - hospitals need this blood type most regularly, as it can be given to all patients

Our donation centres are open as normal despite coronavirus restrictions. Giving blood and platelets is essential to the NHS and vulnerable patients.

We have new rules about donating after coronavirus. Please read the following information before coming to donate:

How often can I give blood?

Men can give blood every 12 weeks and women can give blood every 16 weeks. Find out more about what happens on the day of your donation.

Check you are able to give blood

Use this quick list to check you can give.

You can also read some of the most common eligibility questions we receive from blood donors.

If you have a health condition, have travelled out of the country recently, or if you answer "yes" to any question on your Donor Health Check questionnaire, please call 0300 123 23 23 or check the health & eligibility or travel section for further advice about whether this affects you donating blood.

You can register here as a blood donor.

The common reasons donors should check if they can give blood are:

  • if you are receiving medical or hospital treatment
  • if you are taking medication
  • after travelling outside of the UK
  • after having a tattoo or piercing
  • during and after pregnancy
  • if you feel ill
  • if you have cancer
  • after receiving blood, blood products or organs

If you have any questions then contact us by completing a web form or call us on 0300 123 23 23.

Male and female donors

Men are more likely to donate more often than women because:

  • men’s additional body weight means they have suitable iron levels
  • they are less likely than women to carry certain immune cells meaning their plasma is more widely usable for transfusions
  • their platelet count is typically higher meaning they are more likely to be accepted as platelet donors


Find out more about why men often make good blood donors

Women under 20 - check if you can give blood

If you are a woman under 20 and you weigh under 10st 3lb or 65kg or are under 5' 6" or 168cm tall you will need to estimate your blood volume to see if you can give blood. If your weight lies between two of the values shown, please use the nearest lower weight.

Results:
Estimate
Estimate

Alternatively download our reference sheet here (PDF 109KB)

Blood safety (please read all sections)

We must make sure it is safe for people to give blood and for patients to receive donated blood. Blood safety information is below: