What are the basic requirements to donate blood?

In the United States you generally must be at least 17, or 16 with parental consent where allowed, weigh at least 110 pounds (50 kilograms), and be in good general health. A short health screening at the center confirms your eligibility each time.

How often can I donate blood?

You can donate whole blood every 56 days, Power Red every 112 days, platelets every 7 days (up to 24 times a year), and plasma every 28 days at volunteer centers. Commercial plasma centers allow more frequent donation.

Does this tool decide if I can donate?

No. It gives general guidance based on common requirements. The final decision is always made by a trained screener at the donation center, and rules vary by center, donation type, and country.

Can I donate blood?

Answer a few quick questions to see whether you are likely eligible to donate blood or plasma today. It takes under a minute and runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.

Quick answerMost healthy adults can donate blood. In the United States you generally need to be 17, or 16 with parental consent where allowed, weigh at least 110 pounds (50 kilograms), and feel well on the day. You can give whole blood every 56 days. A short health screening at the center makes the final decision each time.

Where are you donating?

Basic requirements in United States:

Age: 16 or 17 with parental consent in many states, or 18 and older.
Weight: At least 110 lbs (50 kg).
Source: U.S. FDA guidance and your local blood center.

How old are you?

Do you weigh at least 110 lbs (50 kg)?

Are you feeling healthy and well today?

Cold, flu, or fever in the last few days?

When did you last donate, and what kind?

Tattoo or piercing in the last 3 months?

Pregnant now, or given birth in the last 6 weeks?

Taking antibiotics for an active infection?

Travel to a malaria-risk area in the last 3 months?

Answer the first three questions to get a result.

Answer the questions and your result will appear here. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere; the check runs entirely in your browser.

Eligibility topics

Plain-English answers to the questions people ask most. Each page tells you what to do next and when to call the center.

Illness and infection

Medications

Vaccines

Vaccines

Body art and procedures

Travel

Reproductive health

Blood, iron, and pressure

Chronic conditions

Lifestyle

Donation frequency

Donor basics

Identity and inclusion

50 topics and growing.

This is general educational guidance, not a final eligibility decision. Donation centers make final eligibility decisions during confidential screening. Rules may vary by center, donation type, location, and current policy.

Eligibility FAQ

What are the basic requirements to donate blood?: In the United States you generally must be at least 17, or 16 with parental consent where allowed, weigh at least 110 pounds (50 kilograms), and be in good general health. A short health screening at the center confirms your eligibility each time.
How often can I donate blood?: You can donate whole blood every 56 days, Power Red every 112 days, platelets every 7 days (up to 24 times a year), and plasma every 28 days at volunteer centers. Commercial plasma centers allow more frequent donation.
Does this tool decide if I can donate?: No. It gives general guidance based on common requirements. The final decision is always made by a trained screener at the donation center, and rules vary by center, donation type, and country.

Our no-monetization pledge

BloodBanker does not use affiliate links, paid rankings, or ads on mission pages. We do not sell donor health information. We link to official donation organizations so people can donate safely and locally.

Read the full pledge

Sources and review

This is general educational guidance, not a final eligibility decision. Donation centers make final eligibility decisions during confidential screening.

The guidance on this page reflects published criteria from these organizations. Eligibility and procedures vary by center and country, so confirm specifics with your donation center.

Last reviewed:: 2026-06-16
Next review due:: 2027-06-16
Editorial review:: Reviewed against American Red Cross, AABB, and U.S. FDA donor guidance
Clinical reviewer:: Not yet clinically reviewed
Confidence:: High confidence