The left side of a standard account is called the

• A. Credit side
• B. Debit side
• C. Balance side
• D. Revenue side

Answer: (B)

On a standard T-account in double-entry bookkeeping, the left-hand side is the debit side. Debits on the left increase asset and expense accounts and decrease liability, equity, or revenue accounts; credits on the right do the opposite. This labeling is what lets every transaction keep the accounting equation in balance. For example, buying equipment with cash records a debit to Equipment (left side) and a credit to Cash (right side). The term “credit side” describes the right-hand side, while “balance side” and “revenue side” aren’t used to label the left side.