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





You can still travel to donate. Giving blood and platelets is essential to the NHS and vulnerable patients.

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.