Blood Tube Colour Codes - Key Notes

REGULAR BLOOD TUBES

Colour	Additive	Use
Pink	Ethylene Diamine Taetra-acetic Acid (EDTA)	Haematology
Dark purple	Trisodium Citrate (Sodium Citrate)	Coagulation studies Prothrombin test
White	None	All serum tests
Orange	Lithium Heparin	Biochemistry
Yellow	Sodium Fluoride/Potassium Oxalate	Blood glucose

VACUTAINER BLOOD TUBES

Colour	Additive	Use
Lilac	Ethylene Diamine Taetra-acetic Acid (EDTA)	Haematology
Pale blue	Sodium Citrate 1:9	Coagulation studies Prothrombin test
Black	Sodium Citrate 1:4	Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Rust (rubber)	None	All serum tests
Green	Lithium Heparin	Biochemistry
Grey	Sodium Fluoride/Potassium Oxalate	Blood glucose
Dark purple	Plain Heparin	Trace elements
Yellow	Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD)	Preservation for blood transfusion