Debit/Credit Checker
Choose an account type and whether it increases or decreases to see whether you should debit or credit the account.
Answer
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Choose an account type.
Is it a debit or a credit?
A debit is the left side of an accounting entry and a credit is the right. Debits increase assets, expenses, and drawings; credits increase liabilities, equity, and revenue. To decrease any of those accounts, use the opposite side. Debit does not mean increase and credit does not mean decrease, because which side increases an account depends entirely on the account type.
A bank statement uses the two words the other way round, which is where most of the confusion starts. The statement is written from the bank's books rather than yours, so money paid into your account is a credit on their statement and a debit in your own ledger.
Check debit or credit treatment in a few steps
- Select the account type you want to review.
- Choose whether the account is increasing or decreasing.
- See whether you should debit or credit the account.
- Review the short explanation and normal balance shown with the result.
Why use this debit/credit checker?
- Quickly check whether to debit or credit an account.
- Helps with homework and journal entry practice.
- Clarifies normal balance and account direction rules.
- Useful before moving on to journal entry or trial balance work.
- Helps reduce beginner mistakes in double-entry accounting.
When to use this debit and credit checker
- Check accounting homework when you need to confirm debit or credit treatment.
- Practice journal entry logic before writing a full transaction.
- Review bookkeeping changes and make sure the account direction is correct.
- Learn the patterns behind double-entry accounting in a simple way.
- Recheck transaction treatment before moving on to a journal entry checker or trial balance.
Related Tools
Related Guide Article
Debit and credit guide
Debit or Credit? Why Your Bank Says the Opposite
Debit means left and credit means right. Learn why your bank statement shows the opposite, and which side each account type uses.
Debit/Credit Checker FAQs
What is a debit?
A debit is the left side of an accounting entry. It increases assets, expenses, and dividends or drawings.
What is a credit?
A credit is the right side of an accounting entry. It increases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
Do debits always increase accounts?
No. Debits increase some accounts and decrease others. It depends on the account type.
Which accounts increase with debits?
Assets, expenses, and dividends or drawings increase with debits.
Which accounts increase with credits?
Liabilities, equity, and revenue increase with credits.
Can this checker help with accounting homework?
Yes. It can help you check the direction of an account change, but you should still explain your reasoning.