ABO Group & Rh Type (Blood Type) Test
The ABO Group and Rh Type test identifies a person's blood group and Rh factor — the pieces that together make up what people commonly call their blood type. It is a straightforward identification done from a simple blood sample.
About this test
Blood type is defined by markers on the surface of red blood cells. The ABO system sorts blood into the familiar groups based on which of these markers are present, and the Rh system adds a further distinction based on whether a particular marker, the Rh factor, is present or absent. Combining the two is what produces the everyday shorthand people use to describe their blood, such as a group letter paired with a positive or negative sign.
This test is different from most laboratory tests in that it reports a fixed characteristic rather than a level that rises and falls. A person's ABO group and Rh type are inherited and stay the same throughout life, so the result is an identification of an existing trait rather than a measurement of something that changes day to day. The test is performed with a simple blood draw at a Quest patient service center, where a phlebotomist collects a sample from a vein in the arm and sends it to the laboratory.
Because it describes a stable trait, no special preparation such as fasting is generally needed, though people follow any instructions their ordering clinician provides. The laboratory determines the ABO group and Rh type from the sample, and the result is recorded so it can be referenced later.
Who commonly orders it
People consider a blood type test for a range of everyday reasons. Some simply want to know their type for their own records or out of curiosity, while others are asked for it in the context of planning, pregnancy care, or general health documentation. Because the ABO group and Rh factor are inherited traits that stay constant, many people choose to have them identified once and keep the result on hand.
It is a common request precisely because the answer is stable and personal. As with any test, the result is best understood together with a clinician, who can explain what the ABO group and Rh type mean in the context of a person's overall situation.
What the test identifies
The test answers two linked questions. The ABO part determines which of the main blood groups a person belongs to, based on the markers present on their red blood cells. The Rh part determines the Rh type, based on whether the Rh factor is present or absent. Put together, these two answers give the complete blood type that people are familiar with.
It helps to remember that this is an identification of an inherited characteristic rather than a reading that changes over time. That is why a single test is usually enough to establish a person's ABO group and Rh type.
Why people want to know their blood type
Knowing one's ABO group and Rh type is useful information to have on record. It comes up in various care and planning situations, and many people value simply having a documented answer they can reference. The test identifies the trait rather than assessing health, so it stands a little apart from tests that measure changing markers.
The result describes an inherited feature of a person's red blood cells and does not, by itself, say anything about how healthy someone is. A clinician can put the ABO group and Rh type into context and explain their relevance to a person's individual circumstances.
What to expect at your visit
No appointment is needed. People can walk into a Quest patient service center during open hours, and the draw itself is quick — a phlebotomist collects a small sample from a vein in the arm, and most visits wrap up in a few minutes. Special preparation is generally not needed for blood typing, though people should follow any instructions their clinician gives. Once the laboratory completes its analysis, the result is posted to the account for review and sharing with a clinician.
Your results
Results will be emailed securely to you as a PDF.
One-time price · physician order included · no insurance needed
Prefer a fuller panel?
A curated bundle groups this test with the markers clinicians most often review alongside it — often better value than single tests.
Frequently asked questions
What does the ABO Group & Rh Type test identify?+–
It identifies your blood group under the ABO system and your Rh type, based on markers on your red blood cells. Together these make up what people commonly call their blood type.
Does my blood type ever change?+–
The ABO group and Rh factor are inherited traits that stay the same throughout life, so the result is an identification of a fixed characteristic rather than a level that rises and falls.
Do I need to fast before a blood type test?+–
Special preparation such as fasting is generally not needed for blood typing, because it identifies a stable trait. Still, follow whatever instructions your ordering clinician provides.
How is the sample collected?+–
Through a routine blood draw at a Quest patient service center. A phlebotomist takes a small sample from a vein in the arm and sends it to the laboratory.
Does knowing my blood type say anything about my health?+–
The test identifies an inherited feature of your red blood cells and does not, on its own, assess health. A clinician can explain what your ABO group and Rh type mean in the context of your situation.
How much does the ABO Group & RH TYPE test cost?+–
The cash price at Celio Health is $35. That covers the physician's order and the blood draw at a Quest patient service center — no insurance is needed and there's no separate doctor's visit to pay for.