The binding of human fibrinogen degradation fragments D1, E, X, and Y, as well as fibrin fragment D1 dimer, to mouse peritoneal macrophages was examined. A Scatchard plot of fragment D1 binding was biphasic, suggesting two classes of receptors. Fragments D1, D1 dimer, X, and Y in low concentrations bound to macrophages with high affinity (Kd = 23 to 73 X 10(-11) mol/L). Fragment E bound specifically but at a much lower level than the other fragments. Fragment D1 was able to compete for the binding of radiolabeled fragments X and Y but not radiolabeled fragment E. These studies indicate that fragments D and E are recognized by separate receptor systems but that all of the fibrinogen degradation products that contain the D domain are recognized by the same receptor system.