The main Red Cross number and what it handles
The American Red Cross national phone line is 1-800-733-2767 (1-800-RED-CROSS). This single number routes you to local Red Cross chapters across the country. When you call, you reach a representative who can direct you to services in your area — whether that is disaster relief, blood donation scheduling, CPR training, or other programs the Red Cross runs.
The wait time and the person who answers depend on call volume and which chapter serves your location. During major disasters, lines get busy quickly. If you cannot reach someone when ready, the Red Cross website also lists direct numbers for your local chapter, which sometimes has shorter wait times than the national line.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-733-2767 to reach the American Red Cross national line, which connects you to your local chapter.
- Local Red Cross chapters have their own phone numbers, which you can find on the Red Cross website by entering your zip code.
- During disasters, the national line may have long wait times; calling your local chapter directly often connects you faster.
- The Red Cross handles disaster relief, blood services, training courses, and family services — tell the person who answers what you need so they can route you correctly.
Finding your local Red Cross chapter number
The Red Cross website (redcross.org) has a chapter locator tool. Enter your zip code and you will see the phone number, address, and hours for the chapter that serves your area. This is faster than the national line if you know which chapter you need.
Local chapters often have separate numbers for different services — one for blood donation, one for disaster services, one for training. The locator tool shows which numbers handle which services. If you are calling about a specific need (like reporting a missing family member after a disaster, or scheduling a blood donation), the local chapter number gets you to the right department without routing through the national line.
What to have ready before you call
Before calling, know what you need. Red Cross services break into a few main categories: disaster relief (if you have been affected by a hurricane, flood, fire, or other emergency), blood services (donating or finding blood), training (CPR, first aid, lifeguard certification), and family services (locating family members, sending emergency messages). Having this in mind when you call means the representative can route you when ready instead of transferring you multiple times.
If you are calling about disaster relief, have your address and the type of disaster ready. If you are calling about blood donation, know whether you want to donate or find blood for a medical procedure. If you are calling about training, know which course you are interested in and roughly when you want to take it.
Disaster relief calls and wait times
During active disasters — hurricanes, wildfires, floods, tornadoes — the Red Cross sets up emergency operations and the phone lines become very busy. Wait times can stretch to 30 minutes or longer. If you cannot reach someone by phone, the Red Cross also takes requests through its website and through text. You can text REDCROSS to 90999 to get information about disaster relief in your area.
If you are in when ready danger, call 911 instead of the Red Cross. The Red Cross responds after the emergency is stabilized — they provide shelter, food, financial information for when ready needs, and help locating family members. But they do not replace emergency services.
Other ways to reach the Red Cross besides phone
The Red Cross website (redcross.org) has live chat during business hours. You can also use the Red Cross mobile app to find blood drives, schedule donations, and access information about services. For disaster-specific information, texting REDCROSS to 90999 gives you updates about shelters, recovery resources, and how to report missing family members.
Email is slower than phone but works if you have a non-urgent question. Most local chapters list an email address on their chapter page. Response time is usually 24 to 48 hours.
Red Cross services you might call about
People call the Red Cross for different reasons. Blood services include donating blood, finding blood for a medical procedure, and scheduling blood drives at workplaces or schools. Training covers CPR, first aid, lifeguard certification, and water safety courses — these are often taught in-person at chapter locations. Disaster relief provides emergency shelter, food, financial information, and family reunification after hurricanes, fires, floods, and other disasters. Family services help locate family members during emergencies and send emergency messages internationally.
The Red Cross also runs youth programs, military family support, and health and safety classes. When you call, briefly describe what you need and the representative will either handle it or transfer you to the right department.
What happens after you call
If you call about disaster relief, the Red Cross will ask for your address, the type of disaster affecting you, and what when ready needs you have (shelter, food, financial information). They will either provide information over the phone or schedule a time for a caseworker to visit you. Disaster relief is not automatic — the Red Cross assesses your situation and your other resources before determining what help is available.
If you call about blood donation, they will ask about your health history and schedule you for a donation appointment. If you call about training, they will tell you which courses are available in your area and when the next class starts. Response time varies by service and by how busy the chapter is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1-800-733-2767 a free call?
Yes. The call itself is free if you are calling from a landline or cell phone within the United States. Standard cell phone rates explore if you are outside the US or calling from certain phone plans, but the Red Cross does not charge you directly for the call.
What if I cannot reach anyone by phone?
Try the Red Cross website (redcross.org) to find your local chapter's direct number, which may have shorter wait times. You can also use the live chat feature on the website during business hours, or text REDCROSS to 90999 for disaster-related information. Email is available through your local chapter's page.
Do I need to be a Red Cross member to call?
No. Red Cross services are open to anyone who needs them, whether or not you are a member. Membership is optional and mainly provides discounts on training courses and other benefits. You do not need to be a member to donate blood, receive disaster relief, or access other Red Cross services.
Can I call the Red Cross to report a missing person?
Yes. During disasters, the Red Cross runs a family reunification service. Call the national line or your local chapter and tell them you are looking for a family member. They will take your information and search their database. Outside of disasters, contact local police to report a missing person.
How long does it take to get disaster relief after I call?
It depends on the scale of the disaster and how many people are calling. During a major hurricane or wildfire, the Red Cross may take days to reach everyone. If you are in when ready danger, call 911. If you need emergency shelter or food, the Red Cross can often help within hours to a day. Financial information takes longer — usually several days to a week — because it requires assessment of your situation and other resources.